The Upper Great Lakes Study

The International Joint Commission of Canada and the United States (IJC) is starting a major study of the upper Great Lakes. The study area includes lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie, and their interconnecting channels (St. Mary's River, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and Niagara River), up to Niagara Falls.

About the study

The IJC will draw on the results of the study to determine whether the regulation of Lake Superior outflows can be improved to address the evolving needs of the upper Great Lakes, and whether it needs to update its Order of Approval at St. Mary's River between Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, to do so.

Major topics for investigation include determining the factors that affect water levels and flows, developing and testing the performance of potential new regulation plans including under climate change scenarios, and assessing the impacts of these potential plans on the ecosystem and human interests.

Physical changes in the St. Clair River will be investigated early in the study as one factor that might be affecting water levels and flows. Depending on the nature and extent of the physical changes, and their potential impact on water levels and flows, the study may also explore potential remediation options.

The study is expected to take five years to complete and cost U.S. $14.6 million, split between Canada and the United States.

See the Revised Plan of Study for details.

Next steps

The IJC will now appoint a binational study board and public advisory group, and work with the governments of the United States and Canada to put their funding mechanisms and other needed resources in place.

Information will be posted to this website as it becomes available.

Contacts

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