Lake Superior losing water
4 Aug 2007, 0423 hrs IST,AP

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/W...ow/2254738.cms

MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN: Lake Superior is losing water and getting
warmer, worrying those who live near its shores, scientists and
companies that rely on the lake for business.

The changes to the lake could be signs of climate change although
scientists aren't sure. Its level is at its lowest point in eight
decades and will set a record this fall if, as expected, it dips three
more inches.

Meanwhile, the average water temperature has surged 4.5 degrees since
1979, significantly above the 2.7-degree rise in the region's air
temperature during the same period.

A weather buoy on the western side recently recorded an "amazing" 75
degrees, "as warm a surface temperature as we've ever seen in this
lake", said Jay Austin, assistant professor at the University of
Minnesota at Duluth's Large Lakes Observatory.

Retiree Ted Sietsema said that the government is diverting the water
to places with more people and political influence.

Cynthia Sellinger, deputy director of Great Lakes Environmental
Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, said she suspects a contributing
factor could be residual effects of El Nino.