Should the South and West be Permitted to Tap the Great Lakes for Water? (Canada, Denver)

[SteelCityRising]

I was just watching a very interesting segment on the Weather Channel about how the eight Great Lakes states (NY, PA, OH, MI, IN, IL, MN, and WI) along with parts of Canada are brainstorming to help protect their already dropping lake levels from being abused by outside influences. Many of us here in the North are worried that rapidly growing Sunbelt areas like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, etc. may attempt to put a huge "straw" of sorts into the Great Lakes and start sucking them dry. The economies of many cities in the region (Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, Erie, Duluth, etc. come to mind) have historically relied on lake transport and some still do today. If these already dissipating lake levels start faltering even more rapidly because someone in Phoenix wants to water their fake lawn, this could have disastrous consequences for the Great Lakes states.

What do others think should come of this issue? I'm 100% opposed to ANYONE outside of the Great Lakes states tapping OUR water supply and putting us in economic hardship or even a greater risk of future drought ourselves. People knew they were moving into deserts and/or drought-plagued areas when they purchased homes there. Why should we bail them out?

[Ibginnie]

Originally Posted by SWB

I'm 100% opposed to ANYONE outside of the Great Lakes states tapping OUR water supply and putting us in economic hardship or even a greater risk of future drought ourselves. People knew they were moving into deserts and/or drought-plagued areas when they purchased homes there. Why should we bail them out?

I have no problem with Great Lake states using the water that is needed from the lakes. However. it needs to stop there. While we have alot of water from the lakes, and many fresh water springs, I think that it would only be a matter of time before we are in the same position. We need to keep what natural resources we have.

Here in Michigan we have not had the normal amount of snow (precipitation) that we normally do. Our small lake levels are low. Not alot to spare.

[Zooropa]

Originally Posted by Ibginnie

I have no problem with Great Lake states using the water that is needed from the lakes. However. it needs to stop there. While we have alot of water from the lakes, and many fresh water springs, I think that it would only be a matter of time before we are in the same position. We need to keep what natural resources we have.

Here in Michigan we have not had the normal amount of snow (precipitation) that we normally do. Our small lake levels are low. Not alot to spare.

I don't live in a Great Lakes state anymore, but lived in the Cleveland area till I was 21 and I agree that we should not use water from the lakes to service other states. In addition to the issues already mentioned I think it would also increase tensions with Canada since they have Great Lakes coastline on all of the lakes except Michigan.

[OhioNative]

If the rest of the country needs the water, the federal government will take it, no matter what the states want.

[baystater]

Originally Posted by OhioNative

If the rest of the country needs the water, the federal government will take it, no matter what the states want.

We can't just take it. You forget most of those lake also boarder Canada. It would be a international issue. And judging by the from what I read the Canadian ain't going to let that happen.

So if you don't like having water. Move to where the water is.

Pulled this from the Michigan forum.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20...ater_problems/

[malamute]

Yes -- in exchange for oil.

[Greatday]

Please, don't stress

I can assure you that AZ and NV will not be tapping into the Great Lakes -

We have a much larger water supply available - and, it is much closer.

It is called the Pacific Ocean

[NewToCA]

Greatday has it right, if we need water in the west we can and will tap it from the Pacific (watch China and Russia file a UN grievance).

Water is a significant resource making the upper midwest attractive for businesses and living. Those states need to make better use of this asset. Ever see Cleveland's lakefront? Talk about wasting an asset.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

Greatday has it right, if we need water in the west we can and will tap it from the Pacific (watch China and Russia file a UN grievance).

Water is a significant resource making the upper midwest attractive for businesses and living. Those states need to make better use of this asset. Ever see Cleveland's lakefront? Talk about wasting an asset.

Tampa attempted to put online the largest desalination plant in the western hemisphere and as far as I know, it still isn't fully operational. Although much of their problems have been due to Zebra Mussels (if I remember correctly) there have also been problems with the reverse osmosis membranes.

Desalinization is definitely a technology we need to pursue, but right now it is still very expensive, sucks up a lot of energy, and requires a great deal of maintenance.

It should be a telling thing that the United States has about 1/4 (1/5th in the Great Lakes alone) of the worlds fresh water supply, we make up 5% of the global population and we are running out of water. Talk about massive over consumption without regard to long term issues.

[silas777]

I stated in a water shortage thread, we need to be building desalinization plans on all our coasts, however when you look at the greatest migration of people in the U.S, it is northerners moving south, so , sure let them take some of their water, lets be real, the great lakes will never run dry!