You have learned that the Great Lakes ecosystem is interesting and unique, but there are emerging threats to this delicate ecosystem.

Current issues affecting the lake:

Water Withdrawals - As cities grow larger in places where freshwater is not readily available, the threat of decreasing lake levels due to water withdrawals is increasing. Not only do these threats come from places like Nevada and California, but countries around the world would like to dip their buckets into the Great Lakes.

Invasive Species - Almost every year there are threats of invasive species being introduced into the Great Lakes. Efforts are currently underway to prevent the Silver Carp from entering the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River. Others include the Eurasian Watermilfoil, which threatens to displace natural aquatic plants and decrease property values, and the spiny water flea, which is displacing natural zooplankton and is virtually unedible to fish.

EXPLORE: Learn more about the spiny water flea threat.

Pollution - The discharge of pollutants into the Great Lakes remains one of the biggest barriers to the improvement of water quality. Although large steps have been taken over the years to decrease the amount of pollutants that enter the lake directly, the threat of nonpoint source pollution (polluted runoff from farms and urban landscapes) and atmospheric deposition (acid rain and harmful PCB deposition) continues to threaten the lake.

EXPLORE: Learn more about the threat of pollution in the Great Lakes.