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astal Zone formation Center VS W, Awl Zal, GB 1627 .G8 F66 1973 -A Flooding Problems associated with current high levels of the great lakes prepared by the Water Development Service Division. of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources December 1974 PREFACE 300 miles of Michigan Great Lakes shoreland are currently subject to flooding by the high I Great Lakes. Over 9,000 homes are susceptible to the effects of this flooding. Upwards of 12,000 people in a single storm have been evacuated from their homes or otherwis from high water. At least 8 million dollars in private damage has occurred. The public cost for 12 months from November 1972 to November 1973 was over 46 million dolla This report presents an overview of the Great Lakes high water flooding problem: its caus solutions; and possible future alternatives. Prepared by the Water Develo of the Michigan Department o assistance from the Emergenc the Department of State Poli of the United States Army Cc United States Department of Development and the County 71 at,@ R 'A uiF U4 52 Sheriff's Deputy Michael Da safety at Estral Beach on L Photo by Detroit News. 2 PREFACE CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 REASONS FOR HIGH WATER - , * , , * , , , * . 12 EFFECTS OF CURRENT HIGH WATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 WHAT CAN BE DONE UNDER EXISTING PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * * 24 ALTERNATIVES FOR FUTURE ACTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 JL Al 47 or vg "Fin" AF 10, 14 pr INTRODUCTION In response to the concerns of Governor Milliken, Investigation of the flooded lands legislative inquiry and the responsibilities of the Great Lakes was accomplished by on- Department of Natural Resources, a reconnaissance The geographical areas covered in t level survey of the flood problems associated with the as follows: Lake Erie shoreline n current high levels of the Great Lakes was undertaken Ohio to Milleville Beach, Michigan during the summer and fall of 1973. This report of the Detroit River in the vicinit contains a summary of that investigation as well as Gibralter; Lake St. Clair from Metr a compilation of damage estimates and possible alter- Harsen's Island (Map 3); the St. Cl native courses of future action. Algonac to Port Huron; Lake Huron, In brief, a problem of major consequence exists and certain estuarine lakes along L which affects thousands of Michigan people, millions discussion of the use and developme of dollars in private and public monies, and a sub- shore types associated with the sho stantial amount of land. Approximately 33 Michigan igated is presented in the Appendix counties encompassing over 30O.miles of Great Lakes Primary interest was focused on und shoreland* and over 4.5,000 acres of land area are eacft location surveyed, photographs currently subject to flooding by the high levels of written and.taped records made of e the Great Lakes (Map 1 and Tables 1 and 2). The scope of the problem has increased to a very significant wa-ather conditions, and other obser degree since the last major high water event on the observations are referenced to-U.S. Great Lakes in the early 1950's. Without either Quadrangle sheets; a list of these State or local actions to control additional develop- in the Appendix, Table C. ments prone to flood damage, the next period of high water will witness a greater expansion of the flooding problem. *The miles of shoreland subject to flooding were estimated by the staff of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources from DNR data and information supplied by the Ohio-Michigan Disaster Housing Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 300 mile estimate includes 200 miles of mainland shoreline and approximately 100 miles of island shoreline. 4 INTRODUCTION MAP 1 0 ft KIWE Michigan Counties Where Grea 5 HOUGHTON .1 too Flooding Occurred, 1972 - I I A ffl- 5 U P E DOMI Tom OF, 8ARAGA LUCE ARQUETTE ALGER CH C 0 IRON SCHOOLCRAfY IV A L R IWMI OICNINSON OELTA rim MACM061C COL@ MENOMINEE EiAME T X CHEBOYGAN PRES KARLEVOI lp OQ ANTRIM OTSEGO WONTMORE L 0 GRAN 0 KALKASKA CRAWFORD OSCODA TABLE 2 BEWZIE Michigan Land Area Subject to &156;41 WEXTORD MISSAUKEEROSCOMMDN OGEMAW Great Lakes Flooding, 1973 MASON LAKE OSCEOLA CLARE GLADWIN Lake Area in Acres OCEAMA MECOSTA ISABELLA Mi L Erie 12,600 NEWAYGO St. Clair 20,500 Huron - Saginaw Bay 12,400 wONTCALM GRATIOT SA I Michigan Not fully determined Superior Not fully determined T.TAW RENT IONA CLINTON SMAINOLSSE Total 45,500 EATON INGHAM L BARRY VAN BUREN ' LAMAZI CALHOUN JACKSON W ST INTRODUCTION 5 RRI(N CASS Jost IN BRANCH ILLSOALE LEN -4, 00, rig MAE yZ 211@ "MU -6- Z W @"tN -,r, N- 1V A, 44" A -4t- -,w 3 4, a,N", T", a ",7 IX g 3: k Mo. !Z W, *AO "T k@ Mai W, ...... .... -g, ME -3 V i, Zz"', 7Z -r 7 WX 71 47TW" Z RE 6 INTRODUCTION A March, 1973 storm brought extensive flooding to the Bay City are Of Saginaw Bay. Photo by Detroit News. TABLE 1 Michigan Counties Where Great Lake Flooding Occurred, 1972-73* Lake or River County Lake or River Lake Erie and 'Monroe Lake Michigan Detroit River Wayne Lake St. C lair and Macomb St. Clair River St. Clair Lake Huron Sanilac Huron Tuscola Saginaw Bay Arenac Iosco Alpena Mackinaw Chippewa Lake Superior Chippewa Alger Marquette Baraga Keweenaw Ontonagon Gogebic *State or Federal highway assistance was requested and/or Operation Foresight aid was required. 50 MAP 2 Average Extent Of Lake Erie Flood rNp k V*% 7; MONRO rk Q LAK E Property damage at Luna Pier on Lake Erie MICHIGAN April 10, 1973. Photo by Detroit News. OHIO MAUMEE BAY 8 INTRODUCTION MAP 3 Average Extent of Lake St. Clair Flooding, July 1973 B ANCHOR BAY CLINT I 1A LAKE ST. CLAIR Typical residential flooding on Harsen's Island, Lake St. Clair, July 1973. INTRODUCTION 9 . . . . . . . . . . MAP 4 4 Areas on Saginaw Bay Where Flooding 0 t During March, 1973 Storm P/ Ive 77@ SAG AREAS WHERE FLOODING OCCURRE NAYA QUING PT FISM 0 K KAWL SSEXVI BAY 0QU NICASSE Flooding of homes in the Bay City area oj shore of Saginaw Bay, March 1973. Photo News. 0 INTRODUCTION 4 r4 O"N. 4, \"Z" X@ 'T @rv z `7 Ugg, On MwIll Z As late as August, 1973, many roads on Harsens Island were impassable due to standing water. . . ... ... .... . ;,ozzv 4"4 @,Fnc REASONS FOR HIGH WATER LEVELS Precipitation in the Great Lakes basin above normal during three of the last Precipitation supplies the water in the Great Lakes, is reflected in the current high lake either falling directly into the Lakes or on the drainage basins which surround them. A great deal of In 1970, departures from normal precip rain and snowfall is lost from the basin by evapora- from 1% on Lake Erie to 14% on Lake Su tion. In normal years, evaporation from the lakes is basinwide annual precipitation was 34. very nearly the same as the precipitation that falls inches or 9% above the normal. on them and about 1/3 of the total that falls on the drainage basin. In years of excess rain and snow, In 1971, some individual lakes had bel with attendant increases in coldness and humidity, precipitation, while Lake Superior exp evaporation loss declines. inches, 13% above normal. Considering Lakes basin as a whole, precipitation The hydraulic characteristics of the outlets and very close to the normal (long term av connecting channels of the Great Lakes are such that inches. they do not provide sufficient capacity to discharge above-normal amounts of precipitation nor do they 1972 brought above-normal precipitatio produce sufficient control to hold back water when Great Lakes. The greatest deviation f below normal precipitation occurs. The result is recorded in the Lake Ontario sub-basin that the lake levels rise or fall depending upon inches fell, 31% more than the average whether or not surpluses or deficiencies in rain and on the entire basin was 14% above norm snow occur (a more detailed discussion is provided in the Appendix). FIGURE 1 Great Lakes Levels - Auqust, 1973 (Normal is average level 1860-1973) SUPERIOR O-9FT Soo MICH@-HURON 1;8FT ERIE 2- 2FT ABOVE NORM4L (__LOCKSABOVE NORMAL ABOVE NORMAL NIAGARA FALLS 2 T ONTARIO 1.2FT. 574 T ABOVE NORMAL ATLANTIC 0 4 F U LEM- .7 ETLEM@_ F TABLE 3 Great Lakes Annual Precipitation in Inches 1970 1971 1972 1 LAKE NORMAL ACTUAL Departure Percent ACTUAL Departure Percent ACTUAL Departure Percent Aul Superior 29.70 33.84 4.14 14 33.45 3.75 13 32.21 2.51 8 17. Michigan 31.24 32.86 1.62 5 30.1 -1.14 4 34.97 3.73 12 20. Huron 31.38 34.94 3.56 11 31.25 -0.13 0.4 35.32 3.94 12 19. Erie 33.80 34.23 0.43 1 28.97 -4.83 14 39.70 5.90 17 22. Ontario 34.29 36.42 2.13 7 32.66 1.63 5 43.67 9.38 31 21. Entire Basin 31.56 34.25 2.69 9 31.43 0.13 0.4 35.97 4.41 14 19. EER UO INE A RY The above-normal precipitation experienced by MARKE! all of the Great Lakes during 1972-73, coupled with the limiting hydraulic characteristics of the outlets and connecting channels resulted in serious flooding of over 300 miles of Michigan shoreline. These flooded conditions have necessitated the use of watercraft to reach places of business and employment in many areas as exemplified in the photo at right of Gibraltar during the April 1973 storm. Photo by Detroit News. 14 REASONS Figures for the first seven months of 1973 again show above-average precipitation on all the Great Lakes. FIGURE 2 The 19.87 inches which have fallen thus far, exceed the norm by 22%. Great Lakes annual precipitation Storm Effects on Wate over the last 3 years is shown in Table 3. The day-to-day or hour-to-hour water level of the Great WIND Lakes is influenced by several factors, any.or all of UN I UFff which can come into force at any particular point in time. The primary factor which determines the undis- turbed or still water, lake level over time is precip- itation. Imposed on the undisturbed lake level are the effects of storms, i.e., waves, pressure changes, etc. Figure 2 illustrates how the various storm LAKE PROFILE ALONG PA factors combine to effect ultimate water levels. During the twelve months from September 1972 to August 1973, Lake Erie's average water level for each month was higher than the highest average monthly level that had occurred since 1860. In fact, the water levels WIND GENERATED WAV averaged about half a foot above the previous record highs for each month. Figure 3 illustrates the accumulative effect of excess precipitation on Lake Erie over recent years. In Figure 3 the monthly mean Ah levels for the lake are indicated for 1972 and for 1973 through August by the middle line ( --- ). Since last November, the new record hiqhs have all exceeded the average monthly levels (_ -) by over two feet. During SLOPE OF BEA each month the levels vary considerably about the mean, WAVE RUN UP, and the upper line (-) indicates the highest hourly Ah WIND SETUP, levels recorded at the west end of Lake Erie at the Toledo, Ohio gage. Major flooding and storm damage along the shore zone in that area occured at the time of the peaks reached in November, April and June. The instantaneous high water level of record at the Toledo gauge is elevation 576.67 International Great Lakes Datum. It occurred on April 9, 1973 and includes approximately a 3.2 foot increase in water level due to ES the.wind tide at that time. The high level which occurred on April 9th of this year at the ribralter naune was 575.82 IGLD. This is not the high level of record. The high level of record at the Gibralter gauge is 576.08 IGLD. 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T! d @ 7,0unr 6 TTady 86*9Z9 LT 0*9LG cV9Ls-.* CILW L919LS 0 * LL9 Z U 6 L ' S L,3A,3 I J,34 PM a L J 3 @@P 1 4 o R.A ewwn S C Wgii zk7 It occurred on the 17th of June, 1973. This level included about 2.6 feet of set-up (see Figure 2). Unlike the April 9, 1973, high, this set-up was due to differences in barometric pressure. These effects were not as significant in the Toledo area. VZ. The mean level for the month of June, 1973, was 573.5 IGLD. The average June level for the 10 ears y preceeding 1973 was 571.1. The June, 1973, elevation was approximately 2.4 feet higher than the average for the past 10 years of record. It is also approx- imately 2.4 feet higher than the average June level for the entire period of record from 1860 to 1972. 3 Note that in the annual fluctuation of the lake level June is the month at which the peak normally occurs. Therefore the 2.4 foot increase above the average of all Junes of record is an indication of how much higher monthly average lake levels are@at this time over the long term average. Selected lake level fluctuations in Lake Erie over the 6a past 20 years, as recorded at the Toledo gauge, are V shown in Table 4. _aa No detailed statistical analysis of the lake levels on Lake St. Clair is available. In June, July and August, 1973 lake levels were at record highs. The mean monthly values for the summer of 1973 were about 2.4 feet above the monthly means for the period of record A (1898-1972). and about .4 foot above the previous monthly high of record. 5 w", At As shown in the photo at right, serious flooding was not confined to Michigan's Great Lakes shores, but often _0 extended miles inland along main tributaries. Flooding in the Bay City vicinity along the Saginaw River on March 18, 1973. Photo by Detroit News. 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Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie all have business opportunity occurred at rest large expanses of coastal marshlands of superb quality shops, marinas, boat rentals, etc. as biological habitat (see Appendix). Substantial amounts of valuable marshlands were severely damaged Approximately 300 miles of Michigan G during the fall 1972 and spring 1973 storms. Many shoreland are currently subject to fl more marshland environments succumbed months later due high levels of the Great Lakes. In M to long-term,,inundation. The gravity of the problem is two separate storm occurences over 12 demonstrated by the'.fact that the Michigan Department evacuated because of flood conditions of Natural Resources received over $167,000 in Federal Upwards of 10,000 homes were subject aid for physical damages to established wildlife areas. of flooding, (Table 6). More than 50 land were flooded in 1973, (Table 2). in addition to the major economic losses suffered by several manufacturing establishments the citizens, are the many other hardships also Damage to private property from Novem endured. It is difficult to quantify these, though June, 1973 was over $8,000,000, (Tabl some can be qualified. People have been forced to costs have nearly reached $47,000,000 leave their homes time and again; school aged children have experienced a loss of school time. Work losses In summary, the current high water le have occurred because people were unable to reach their Lakes, as depicted in,Fioure 1, have places of employment or because of actual closings of hardship and substantial economic los commercial and industrial establishments. Loss of private residents-owners and the publ TABLE 5 Evacuations Due to Flooding, 1972 1973 County Number of People Evacuated November 1972 March-April 1973 June 1973 Bay 100 600 0 Macomb 100 0 0 Monroe 11,000 11,00 500 (500 sheltered)- (500 sheltered) 00 sheltere St. Clair 150 100 0 Tuscola 0 0 Wayne 500 700 - 500 Total 11,850 12,470 1 To From information estimated by County Office of Civil.,Defense 20 EFFECTS TABLE 6 OPERATION FORESIGHT SUMMARY DATA FROM U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS* Potential Homes that would .Lake or River Projects be protected Estimated Co Lake Michigan Western Half 3 32 44,200 Lake Michigan Eastern Half) 13 230 359,500 Lake Huron 2 0 200,000 Lake St. Clair 9 5,370 5,185,000 St. Clair River 3 380 830,000 Lake Erie ( Western Basin 10 2,875 9,120,000 Total 40 8,889 $15,738,700 *Preliminary estimates, March 21, 1973 TABLE 7 PRIVATE EXPENDITURES DUE TO FLOODING, FALL, 1972 and SPRING, 1973 Source 1. Small Business Administration loans, November, 1972 flood (15% of $5,034,000 repaid) 2. S.B.A. loans, March 16 - April 10, 1973 flood (15% of $6,736,000 repaid) 3. Monroe County, June, 1973 flood 4. Farmers Home Administration Emergency loans (amount to be repaid) 5. National Flood Insurer's Association, March 16 - April 10, 1973 flood (10% of $9,452,000 paid by issuing insurance companies) Total TABLE 8 Public Expenditures-Due to Flooding, Fall, 1972 and Spring, 1973 Source 1. Federal Disaster Assistance Administration (formerly Office of Emergency Preparedness) November, 1912 flood disaster; declaration no. OEP-363-DR Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, March 16 - April 10, 1973, flood and storm disaster; declaration no. OEP-371-DR 2. Farmers Home Administration Emergency loans. Over $16,000,000 in loans; $12,000,000 considered grants 3. Housing and Urban Development 4. Small Business Administration loans, November, 1972 flood - $5,034,000 (85% not to be repaid) March 16 - April 10, 1973 storm and flood $6,736,000 (85% not to be repaid) 5. National Flood Insurer's Association,, March 16-April, 10, 1973 flood $9,452,0.00 in claims (90% subsidized by HUD) 6. Bureau of Social Services, March 16 - April 10, 19.73 storm and flood 7. American Red Cross: -.November, 1972 flood March, 1973 flood June, 1973 flood 8. Michigan National Guard 9. Operation Foresight 10. Contingency Fund 11. State Department of Highways, $1,574,000 requested for damages to Federal Aid System 12., Corps of Engineers - Emergency Bank, Protection for Cities of Charlevoix and Grand Haven TOTAL 22 EFFECTS TABLE 9 Property Damages (Private and Public) Due to Great Lakes High Waters, 1951 and LAKE INUNDATION EROSION TOTAL TOT Superior (incl. upper St. Mary's River) $1,506,000 $2,853,000 $4,359,000 $3, Michigan 1,560,000 29,083,500 30,643,800 18, Huron (incl. lower St. Mary's River) 274,700 2,461,500 2,736,200 2, St. Clair (incl. St. Clair & Detroit Rivers) 1,921,700 2,317,850 4,239,550 21, Erie (incl. Niagara River above falls) 4,753,200 7,167,000 11,920,200 22, Ontario (inc. lower Niagara River & St. Lawrence River) 1,266,250 651087,900 7,354,050 11, 11,281,850 49,970,750 61,252,800 --- If the calamitous events of the Fall of 1972 and the Public damage for the June 26, 197'@ Spring of 1973 were to be one-time historical circum- in Monroe County alone with privatE stances it would be troublesome enough to all concerned. million. The immensity of the high Unfortunately, both the record of natural events and demonstrated by the $61 million in that of the response of our society is such that it seems curred along all United States shoy nearly a "sure bet" that without some positive action during the early 1950's (Table 9), now, the next period of high water will see an enormous current expenditure of over $46 mil increase in the number of people involved and economic for flood relief measures in MichiS losses. of the current flood relief prografl diking, flood insurance, small busi It is difficult to develop a direct comparison of the Farmers Home Administration loans, damages and public costs between the high water period existant or not utilized during th( of 1951-52 and that of 1972-73. The damage to public early 1950's. If the public costs property for those counties included in Presidential added to public and private flood Disaster Declarations (see Table D in Appendix) for the cost of the present high water March 16 to April 10, 1973 was $1.3 million, while the 10 times what it was in the 1950's entire flood damage to public property for all of Michigan's shoreline from the Spring of 1951 to the Spring of 1952 was $555,200 (Table E in Appendix). V.V op 14 4L vr 1% -;t- Apo Nil! gm 4w maw PHOTO BY@DETR&T NEWS WHAT CAN BE DONE UNDER EXISTING PROGRAMS in some locations to control low wat works were built, they could only co What then can be done about the flooding problem? of the fluctuation, that is, lower t Following is a brief discussion of existing courses of raise the extreme lows, but some flu action and some of the apparent limitations to such remain. This is particularly true o actions. fluctuates significantly from the ef barometric changes - up to 4 feet at Federal Level - In addition to the cost factor, a fu Lake level regulations - On first thought, engineering which must be recognized to achieve works to control the levels of the various Great Lakes is that of International Agreement. seems to be a very logical means of alleviating both Government would necessarily have to low and high water problems; and there are at least any regulation plan. This presents partial controls in existence for Lake Superior and international questions which would Lake Ontario, (Map 5). These existing controls do and place the reality of level contr provide a means for controlling the levels of Lake possible exception of Lake Erie, dec Superior and Lakes Michigan-Huron but only within future. Illustrative of this foreca limits. During prolonged periods of excess precipita- have been required for a study of th tion when all the Lakes get "full" the relief available levels. Even control for Lake Erie, is at the expense of one lake or another, i.e., in is not likely to be accomplished in order to keep Lake Michigan at a lower level, the level seeable future. of Lake Superior must be raised. Because of the great difference in elevation between Lake Erie and Lake Protection - Ontario at Niagara Falls, the control of Lake Ontario has no effect on the upper Lakes. Flood protection for the property su from high lake levels is within the To achieve major relief from high w'ater problems on feasibility, but only from an engine the Great Lakes, a series of controls would have to The cost would probably greatly exce be built that could pass excess water through the is to be protected. The desirabili entire system - down to the lower St. Lawrence River the kind of structures that would be the factor which is the most complicating is that the marginal at best. largest lakes are at the "top" and the surplus water from Lake Superior must be passed through not only Some concept of the funds which woul Lake Huron, but Lake Erie and Lake Ontario - a foot be illustrated by the cost of the te of water from Lake Superior would raise Lake Erie afforded by Operation Foresight, $1@' 3.2 feet. alone. The cost of a control would be enormous, hundreds of Other Programs - millions of dollars. Not only would connecting water- ways, St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit and Niagara rivers There are a number of other measures have to be widened and deepened to pass excess waters, government has made available. The but moveable dams or gates would have to be.installed Insurance Act provides a program of EXISTI MAP 5 Locations of Existing and Potential Regulatory Works for the Great Lak Long Lake Ogoki Diversion Into Lake Superior; Average annual flow of 6,110 CFS. Sault Ste. Marie Existing Regulatory Worki Maintains monthly mean level of Lake Supe between 600.5 and 602.0 feet IGLD. SU ERIOR St. Lawre Regulato monthly m Ontario b < [246.8 fee 0 <z W agara River Po rks: To contr Chicaqo Diversion o t, of Lake Michigan ie. Average an of 3,254 CFS. nual flowk St. Clair River Potential Regulatory Works: To control level of Lakes 26 EXISTING PROGRAMS Michigan-Huron. normally unavailable from private insurers for proper ty program are negated to a degree by t subject to flood damage. In return.for the provision assurance at the Federal level (no p of subsidized insurance to existing properties, there stationed in Michigan). Technical s is a requirement that local governments adopt and flood hazard areas are done by contr enforce land use control measures that will guide Federal agencies or consulting engin land development in flood-prone areas in order to is a considerable backlog of needed avoid or reduce future flood damage. The U.S. Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Development administers the The Michigan Department of Natural R program. designated by the Governor to serve coordinating agency to assist-commun In order to qualify, a community must request to for the flood insurance program and participate in the program for the entire area within of acceptable land use control measu its ju'risdiction. In addition, the community must show ibility is to coordinate technical f evidence that decisions concerning the location, studies to assure adoption of standa design, and construction of new structures will take the development of flood plain ordin known flood hazards into account . Generally, building the State's involvement is regulated permits or subdivision regulations are accepted for Federal spending for technical studi this minimum requirement. However, the Act requires that HUD provide technical data to the community Congress has recently passed the Flo precisely defining the flood hazard area. Once such Act of 1973 which substantially incr information is made available a community has six months coverage authorized under the Nation to adopt zoning in compliance with Federal requirements. Program. The new limits of coverage aggregate liability for any single f The thrust of the program is to provide flood insurance $100,000 for any residential structu for existing structures and prevent new construction than one unit; and $10,000 for any c or substantial improvements of property located in the the dwelling unit. In the Virgin Is flood hazard area unless adequately flood proofed. the states of Alaska and Hawaii, the The program operates through an insurance industry pool and $150,000 for single and multiple under the auspices of the National Flood Insurer's units, respectively. Association, by means of a Federal subsidy to make up Since future demand for flood insura the difference between actuarial rates and the rates there is no monetary limit on the am actually charged to consumers for the protection pro- coverage which can be written under vided. In many cases, the Federal subsidy amounts to rather a program expiration date of more than 90 percent of the insurance cost. 10 percent is assumed by the issuing insurance companies. To The new act also requires that local avoid duplication of benefits, Federal disaster assis- participate in flood insurance progr tance is not available to reimburse property losses to adequate flood plain ordinances as a the extent that the losses are covered under flood federal financial assistance. Flood insurance policies. Many of Michigan's communities identified by the Secretary of Housi bordering the Great Lakes are included in the National ment must qualify for the flood insu Flood Insurance Program, (Table F in Appendix). one year after notification or by Ju 'At this point in time, some of the merits of this EXISTI is later) in order to receive federal financial new business, or institutional faciliti assistance. site -- for example, on higher ground b located in a flood-prone area -- these The Farmers Home Administration operates an emergency used for that purpose. loan program'for victims of natural disasters which cause property damage or severe agricultural production SBA disaster loans are also available I losses. In order to be eligible for this type of under slightly different conditions. B assistance, the area must be declared a major disaster may cover machinery and equipment, fixi area by the President or designated as a natural inventory as well as real property. Lc disaster area by the Secretary of Agriculture. In by SBA can be as much as $500,000. In additi.on, individual applicants must be 1) U.S. Citizens, direct loans, SBA may approve a guaranl 2) farmers or ranchers mana ing their own operations, percent of a commercial bank loan to rE 3) of good character, and 4@ unable to obtain credit damage. Small businesses, as defined t from other sources at reasonable rates and terms. The receive economic injury assistance as v primary purpose of these emergency loans is to enable disaster assistance, but these are comb farmers to meet annual operating expenses and continue $500,000 maximum. Terms are the same a their normal farming or ranching programs. The terms However, under section 237 of the 1970 are very flexible and can be adjusted to the needs and Act, SBA may make loans of unlimited si circumstances of each individual. rates not in excess of 6% per year to c are major sources.of employment in stri In contrast to the FHA program the Small Business have'substantially ceased operation as Administration offers disaster loans for property disaster., damages without regard to whether the required financial assistance is available from private sources. This disaster loan program is also applicable to personal as-well as real property. However, the area The National Flood Insurer's Associatio must be declared a disaster area by the SBA. Under approximately $9,500,000 for flood reli SBA provisions for home loans the maximum.assistance available for real property is $50,000 and $10,000 for personal property, such as household goods, etc. For SBA declared disasters occurring on or after Over $16,000,000' has been spent by Farm April 20, 1973, all loans must be repaid with no Administration for Michiqan flood relie forgiveness benefits at an annual interest rate of 5% over a period of up to 30 years, depending on the applicant's ability to repay. For disasters occurring on or after January 1, 1972, but prior to April 20, The Small Business Administration has q 1973, up to $5,000 of a loan was forgiven with the $12,000,000 in loans to Michiqan reside' remainder of the loan to be repaid at a 1 percent for flood damaqe. annual interest rate. These loans may be used to repair, rehabilitate, or replace property which hat been damaged or destroyed as a result of a natural disaster. If it is necessary to construct a new home, 28 EXISTING PROGRAMS 'lei RN. 00 ,fl, 00 4 @0 "Mow P 4-, A., t:P A, 7 Lack of adequate identification of flood hazard areas has led to developments such as home park adjacent to Lake St. Clair. EXISTI After each flooding occurs, th e home owner is left little choice but to move back into the flood prone situations associated with Great Lakes area. He has no solution of permanent value and thetaxpayers are faced with continuing future.costs. The Department of State Police has res coordinatinq disaster relief efforts i There are certain areas of development which will assistance 'from other State Department warrant protection or modification rather than mendinq to the Governor action to be t abandonment. Flood proofing, improved transportation tion of disasters. It is beyond the s facilities, or protection may be well warranted report to discuss the procedures of St particularly in low risk areas. Such determinations Disaster Declaration. need high' priority. The State proqrams.not associated with In addition to lack of per.man.ent solutions at the disaster flood problems are limited Federal level, is the question of when temporary responsibility is under the authority measures are applicable. Certain assistance programs ment of Natural Resources primarily to are dependent upon the requisite of a disaster dec- new plats of land are not in flood pro laration; substantial damage and problems can occur certain criteria are met as condition in flood situations which do not meet the criteria above flood line,lflobd proofinq, diki for such a declaration. major state proqram, control of develo riverine flood plains, is not applicab State Level adjacent to the Great Lakes. The prem is that no development take place in t What is the State's role? Under existing statutes which would cause increased elevation it is limited. The major responsibility is in the backinq water up, etc.). Development area of disaster relief and emergency procedures. Lakes has no appreciable effect on lak The Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Public Health, Department of Natural Resources, State Local Level - Highways and Transportation, Social Services as well as other Departments provide technical and The problems facinq community povernme "energy services to citizens and communities in flood lands are discussed in the U.S. Senate emergency. By and large such involvement is part of pendinq land use leuislation (930 Cona the general responsibilities of the agencies and not Report No. 93-197 Report of Committee as a result of specific programs. Insular Affairs, U.S. Senate to actomp Under the authority of the Governor the National Guard "The varied and complex land use contr can.be utilized to supply manpower and equipment in by some 10,000 local qovernments are, emergency situations. Under certain circumstances extent, merely refinements upon the lay National Guard equipment can be utilized to assist developed and validated in the first tt communities through a training schedule. The Depart- century. These controls enabled local Iment of Corrections has cooperated in supplying the first time to place sipnificant rei volunteer inmates for labor to assist in emergency private land use to protect the larqer 30 EXISTING PROGRAMS -At P," V 'iM MON" 'o?""MRZ ;A@' @;jfA' 64,MM. Wr 4E@ Ir7 04R Despite current high water levels, development of flood-hazard shoreline areas continues. EXISTIN( Yet, in keeping with the traditional concept of land, TABLE 10 for the larger public interest was and is interpreted DEVELOPMENT COMPA to be protection of property values and the economic 1952 vs. 196 value of land. The dependency of most cities upon property taxes, which in turn are dependent on property values, serves to reinforce this prevailing purpose of Lake Erie land use controls. Location Number of In the absence of State concern or guidance, .the cities 1952 (and, for that matter, the courts) came to treat the Milleville and decidedly negative local-land use regulations As though Maple Beach 55 .they embodied whatever planning was considered necessar Y. Gibralter 424 Thus, rather than guiding planned development, land Luna Pier 338 use controls have lent protection to virtually unplanned development. As a result,'whether land 'use decisions Lake St. Clair have been left entirely to the market place or to local regulations absent a planning base, inefficient, unsightly, Harsens Island 649 and often costly land use patterns have developed." Algonac 661 New Baltimore 62 For a variety of understandable reasons m Ianaaement of Lakeside 190 flood hazard lands by community government has achieved Metropolitan Beach 167 only limited success in preventing the increase of St. Clair Haven 224 flood damages along the Great Lakes. The major factors Belvidere Bay 120 appear to be: 1. relatively long time periods between high water levels; One of the most nagging aspects o 2. great economic value of land adjacent to water; along the Great Lakes is that mos programs (as well as other levels aimed at providing temporary solu 3. dependency of community government services on tection, temporary housing, emerg property tax revenues; Very few are designed to provide to the damage or destruction of e 4. limited State responsibility. Because of the lack of knowledge The failure of either State or community governments to builders, absence of land use con establish program goals to control development subject cases a substantial loss of land, to damage in flood hazard lands has resulted in dramatic buildings are located along Lake d ne 0 'a 1 pro a 1m tec Ver consequences. Table 10 illustrates the development River, Lake St. Clair, the St. Cl that has occurred along Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie Saginaw Bay, which at times, are since 1952. 32 EXISTING PROGRAMS occupancy. This can be for safety, sanitary reasons, again in the June 17 flood. Bu lack of communication or transportation. Serious project of all, a $714,000 Corp consideration needs to be given to abandonment of such dike-building plan to bolster t structures as the most realistic long-term solution. the town's fringe, has been ind If not, the situation will continue where the expend- by a strike. Since November, E iture of funds for temporary measures may exceed the been declared a national disast value of the property as was the case with Estral times - in November, April and Beach, Detroit Free Press, October 8, 1973. After each declaration, governm the Office of Emergency Prepare "Ambitious programs; including at least $500,000 the Federal Disaster Assistance in Small Business Administration "excused" or Small Business Administration ( non-repayable loans and HUD gifts of free housing Urban Development (HUD), Farmer to an estimated 50 families, have come in and tion (FHA) and the Army Corps d attempted to prop the Village back on its feet. town like a conquering army mak Many families who received up to $5,000 in SBA By conservative estimate the vi repair money after the November 14 flood, received received $1.4 million in federa SBA money again after the April 9 flood to repair $100,000 more than its assessed their earlier repairs, only to have them destroyed and an average of more than $6, N, _Cr `,' Z 50'r 55, L SA@"2 E@i Wall T 0 10 "O-EN 0 4 _S_ 'Ne", - - - - - - - - - - EXISTIN CS VW 'Temporary Pra 4 IRt W Xk, 17 ;40-11, 4 E"I'l, En -1 V PHOTO-, BY,.,,,DETROit-,-N5w 73, requirements of the Act. In esse ALTERNATIVES FOR FUTURE ACTION ment would require the identifica areas along the Great Lakes, and Throuah the field investigation, discussions with of community government and those officials of the various levels of Government and have land use regulatory responsi shoreland residents, it seems very evident that long- Department of Labor - State Build term permanent solutions to recurring damages to ment of Licensing and Regulation developed property do not exist. There are undoubtedly Department of Treasury - Plat reg .several alternatives which could be developed to provide such solutions. It is much beyond the scope of this *Through the identification and n summary report to fully explore such alternatives. process, community and state agen to regulate future land uses in i Since all levels of government are involved with the areas. Great Lakes flooding problems, and since all will be a part of developing solutions, it is difficult to 2. Work out arrangements whereby Wat suggest in precise detail the relationships between Commission would assume H.U.D. re one level of government and another. Following are for technical flood hazard area i some concepts which could be a part of a number of Such a course of action would ass alternatives. in technical studies along the Mi Community governments have the major responsibility and would expedite Federal Plan. for guiding the orderly growth and development within 3. A State program of technical assi their jurisdiction by the exercise of various regula- providing service to community go tory powers based on the protection and enhancement of oped. The main purpose would be public healtht safety and welfare. Community govern- data, consultation, and legal qui ment, therefore, has a major role to fulfill in the ation of local land use programs. implementation of flood damage control programs. The costly and difficult proposition use of zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, mental unit to establish a data c building and sanitation codes and related measures will and research legal approaches to be primary tools in containing the damage problem. A state program would be consiste To this end, Federal-State programs should be so emerging coastal management conce designed and operated as to provide maximum assistance While controlling land use is properl to community governments in executing their responsi- responsibility, reducing the magnitud bilities. damage problem may require a joint st approach. If reduction can not be a( In order to provide that assistance, the following be a continuing escalation of privatE measures could be undertaken: due to Great Lakes flooding. Given t of the flooding and high water damage 1. Amend the Shorelands Protection Act (Act 245 of construction of level controls and t@ 1970) to add a category of flood hazard to the providing permanent protection - redt of improved property subject to damage provides an taxes to compensate'for a reduction i alternative to prevent added future costs. At present, resulting from a decision to make the the're is no systematic, fully operative program to for development. acquire and convert flood prone real property to uses compatible with the physical risks involved along Although property tax is assessed on the flood area of the Great Lakes. value of the land, if property values governmental action the assessment sh There are many uses both private and public which can pondingly adjusted. If flood hazard 1 be made of these areas, but such uses require either not suitable for building in -their na the physical alteration by filling, diking, etc., to property taxes automatically be reduc make structures securej or not constructing facilities problems,with the self-adjusting proc which would be subject to repeated risks. time lag in establishing new market v an undue burden on the property owner Shoreland use regulations could be'promoted by public appeal process. purchase (Federal-State program) of the most critical flood areas, particularly those where perman Ient pro- An alternative to the dependence on t tection is not economically feasible. Such property of new market values would be an exem or parcels of property could either be retained in hazard property to be granted by the public ownership or resold with appropriate deed ability of local government to tax is restrictions. Deed restrictions could for example limited by the State; however, the st limit the permissible type and extent of development. such exemptions by amending Act No. 2 A deed restriction program could be financed by a as amended. Exemptions which may be revol'ving fund with possible annual supplements to state wouldnot conceivably Violate t cover reduction of the fund. This potential technique uniformity in Art.9 section 3 of the has not been considered in adequate detail. tion, if the exemptionapplied statew. that met eligibility requirements. Should'the State of Michigan take the initiative in the development of such a procedure there is at Numerous vacant parcels,have been ren least some potential that Federal programs could be due to current high water (as well as altered to provide a partnership approach. seasonal inundation, transportation f There are a number of potential land regulatory tech- tion, etc.). Many remain -assessed at imposed prior to the physical loss or niques available for consideration by State government property. Thus, sale to any unwary b which could be utilized in managing flood hazard areas. the most practical option available f owner. Two courses of.action are ope The question of property tax becomes key to the a.ppli- level. First, due to the reduced val cability of a number of such techniques and especially for development, purchase, at low Cos so because of the general high value of even marginal or other governmental units for publi shoreline property. Proposals to encourage preservation benefits invites'consideration. Seco of land in natural-state (conversely to discourage be identification of such parcels for building) through tax relief, suggest a reduction in the private purchaser. Subsequent to 36 ALTERNATIVES assembly of such parsels to form an area capable of future development with modification - again a be fostered. In either case, a public service is rendered. To be more specific in the case of property subject to flooding, consideration could be given to r such property have a flood hazard declaration recorded on the property deed. At least subsequent then be aware of the potential risk involved with such property. It has been the aim of this reconnaissance level report to provide a brief overview of a problem o magnitude and to suggest some alternatives that might be considered for solutions. APPENDIX SHORELAND DEVELOPMENT, OWNERSHIP AND SHORE TYPE Some 4.5 percent of the Lake Huron mai within designated recreation-areas. T LAKE HURON includes fifteen Michigan state parks Use and Development county, township, and municipal parks, recreation areas. The United States shorelands of Lake Huron are located entirely within the State of Michigan and have a total Ownership mainland length of about 634 miles. The majority of the lake's shore, however, is under the jurisdiction The Michigan mainland shore of Lake Hu of the province of Ontario, Canada. mated 634 miles in length. About 107 total shore are in public ownership re Lake Huron contains, significant fishery and wildlife nearly 17 percent of the total shorela values, especially in the Saginaw Bay area, the Les Cheneaux Island groups, and the Potagannissing Bay The island shoreland of Lake Huron wit and Munuscong Lake Area. Saginaw Bay is one of the an additional 347 miles. Some 108 mil most significant fish and wildlife habitat areas on of the total is.in public ownership. the Great Lakes. Michigan accounts for the bulk of the shoreland with 25.8 percent of the tot Use and development of the Lake Huron shorelands is government owns 4.4 percent, and local light in the Upper Peninsula and in the northeastern units hold 0.8 percent. portion of the Lower Peninsula (from the Straits of Mackinac to the Oscoda area). Predominant use of Shore Types this shore is for seasonal and permanent residential housing, some agricultural use, and forest lands, The shore of Lake Huron is quite diffe particularly in the more northern areas. The southern Michigan and Lake Superior.. In the no Lake Huron shore is developed to a greater degree. is mainly rocky with some high banked Residential and agricultural development predominates landward into a rolli,ng upland area. in rural areas, while commercial and industrial com- characterized by wetlands. The lower plexes are founded at Bay City and Port Huron. Because largely characterized by sandy beaches of the marshy shore type of Saginaw Bay, large tracts bluffs. One reach along the eastern s of shorelands in Tuscola and Huron counties are almost County, consists of exposed bedrock an completely undeveloped except for agricultural use shorelands contributing to the picturE landward of the marshes. that area. Overall, only 3.1 percent of the Michigan Lake Huron Of the 10 shore types used in this rel shore is developed for-commercial and industrial ize shorelands, seven are found in thE p.urposes. Residential development accounts for 42 Huron shorelands. In contrast to Lak( percent of the total shorelands. Nearly one-half of Superior, low sand dunes occu Ipy only the Lake Huron shorelands is.forest lands and in aqri- the shore. Wetlands, on the other har cultural or. undeveloped. use. 29 percent of the total shore, primari Bay. (see Table A). The city of Detroit is the major me TABLE A in this shoreland region. Many oth ities are also found in the shorela Shoretypes of the Mainland in the north to Monroe in the south Michigan Shore of Lake Huron and development in this area is lay with residential, commercial, and i Shore Type Percent of Shore dominating. Because of the intensi Artificial fill area ------ ment, a great deal of the original Erodible high bluff 6.1 artificially altered. Non-erodible high bluff ------ Residential users occupy 58.3 perCE Erodible low bluff 10.6 of Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair Ri Non-erodible low bluff 10.6 River and 46.2 percent of the Michi High sand dune ------ lands. Much of the residential de% Low sand dune 3.3 and of high quality. Erodible low plain 32.5 Non-erodible low plain 8.0 In total, commercial and industrial Wetlands 28.9 for 25.7 percent of the shorelands TF0_._G the St. Clair River, and the Detroi Erie, this category accounts for or shorelands due to the character of LAKE ERIE, LAKE ST. CLAIR, ST. CLAIR AND DETROIT RIVERS the significant portion in state-ov Use and Development wildlife areas. The United States shorelands of the St. Clair River, As would be expected, agricultural Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River are all under the are very limited along the St. Clai jurisdiction of the state of Michigan. Lake Erie's Clair, and the Detroit River, acco shore is administered by four states - Michigan, Ohio, percent of the total shoreland. Al Pennsylvania, and New York. From Port Huron at the however, this category accounts fo head of the St. Clair River to the Michigan - Ohio shorelands, but these lands are un state line near Toledo, the mainland Michigan shore convert to residential use. Virtu amounts to 147 miles. other than small, isolated woodlot Abutting the heavily populated Southeast Michigan the entire length of the shoreland urban-industrial complex, these shorelands are the developed region. most intensively developed within the state. The Along the St. Clair River, Lake St Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair Detroit River, recreational develo River form a busy waterway bridging the upper lakes 4 percent of the shorelands, and t (Superior, Michigan, and Huron) and the lower lakes in recreational public water front (Erie and Ontario). existing recreational areas are sm sites. 40 APPENDIX The Michigan shore of Lake Erie has 8.6 percent of the and St. Clair Rivers, and Lake St. Cla total area devoted to recreational development. total length of 147 miles. The amount Sterling State Park is located in this shore reach, this region in public ownership is 42. and it receives heavy use during the summer months. represents 28.4 percent of the total s State of Michigan accounts for the bul The western end of Lake Erie consists largely of low- shoreland with 19.4 percent of the tot lying silt and clay materials with marshlands that governmental units hold 7.3 percent. are of special significance to wildlife, particularly migratory waterfowl. Along the Michigan shore of In addition to the mainland shore, Mic Lake Erie, 24.9 percent of the total shore is found some 117 miles of island shore in its in three state-owned wildlife areas - Pointe Mouillee Erie, the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers State Game Area, Plum Creek Wildlife Area, and Erie Clair. About 64 miles of island shore State Game Area. All three areas are very popular the total, is in public ownership. St for duck hunting. for 46.2 percent of the total island s owned lands for 3.4 percent, and local Along Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit ship for 5.3 percent. Overall, includ Rivers, wildlife areas account for only 1.8 percent of and island shore, 40 percent of the Mi total shoreland use and development. One large, high of Lake Erie, the Detroit and St. Clai quality wildlife area, the St. Clair Flats Wildlife St. Clair are in public ownership. Area, is located in Lake St. Clair near the mouth of the St. Clair River. These marshlands are state- Shore Types owned and provide excellent waterfowl hunting. Parts of Dickinson Island and Harsen's Island are The Michigan shore of Lake Erie consis located within this wildlife area. silt and clay materials supporting ext Only two shore types are found in this In addition to the mainland shore, an estimated About 56 percent of the shoreline has 116.8 miles of island shoreline are located in the artificial fill, and the remaining 44 Michigan portion of Lake Erie, the Detroit and St. shoreline is classified as wetlands. Clair Rivers', and Lake St. Clair. A group of islands are found near the mouth of the St. Clair River in Only a little more diversity is presen Lake St. Clair on both sides of the international of the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers an boundary. Harsen's Island is the largest of this Artificial fill accounts for nearly on group. This island shoreland is generally marshy shoreland, and two other shore types - and is known for its extensive waterfowl habitat. erodible low plains - account for 46 p Portions of Harsen's Island and nearby Dickinson shorelands (see Table B). Island make up the bulk of the state-owned St. Clair Fl ats Wi 1 dl i fe Area. Ownership The Michigan mainland shore of Lake Erie, the Detroit A TABLE B Shore Types of the Michigan Mainland Shore of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers Shore Type Percent of Shore Lake St. Clair and St. Clair and Detroit Rivers Lake Erie artificial fill area . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.0 49.1 erodible high bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- non-erodible high bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- erodible low bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- 4.9 non-erodible low bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- high sand dune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- low sand dune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- erodible low plain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- 30.3 non-erodible low plain . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.0 15.7 100% 100% 42 APPENDIX [From Interim Report on Lakes Superior and Ontario Regulation by the International Great Lakes Levels Board to the International Joint Commission] "l. THERE ARE THREE CATEGORIES OF WATER LEVEL vary widely and erratically over a nu FLUCTUATIONS ON THE GREAT LAKES: SHORT Maximum recorded ranges of levels, fr PERIOD, SEASONAL, AND LONG-TERM. to extreme low, have varied from 3.8 Superior to 6.6 feet on Lakes Michiqa Short period fluctuations, lasting from a few hours to Ontario. several days, are caused by,meteorological disturbances. Wind and differences in barometric pressure over the Superimposed upon all three cateaorie surface of a lake create temporary imbalances in the fluctuations are wind induced waves w water levels at various locations in the lake. Although shoreline. the level of the lakes at a particular location may change as much as 8 feet from such causes, there is no Climatic change which would influence change in the volume of water in the lake. Short-term of precipitation received by the lake fluctuations cannot be reduced by operation of a reg- and the amounts withdrawn through eva ulatory structure at the outlet of the lake, and they receiving more attention from scienti are superimposed on the seasonal and long-term fluctua- there have been fluctuations in clima tions of the water levels. not permitted the identification of a Seasonal fluctuations of Great Lakes levels result from climatic trenId in the Great Lakes reg the annual hydrologic cycle. This cycle is character- 2. THE LARGE STORAGE CAPACITIES AND ized by higher supplies during the spring and early CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GREAT LAKE summer and lower supplies during the remainder of the EFFECTIVE IN PROVIDING A NATURALL year. The magnitude of seasonal fluctuations is quite small, averaging about one foot on Lake Superior and The vast surface areas of the Great L Lakes Michigan-Huron, 1.5 feet on Lake Erie, and 1.8 equal to about half the land areas cc feet on Lake Ontario. Ontario has the largest average to them constitute a unique feature c seasonal fluctuations because it is the lowest in the Small differences in lake level, they chain of lakes. Such seasonal fluctuations are only enormous quantities of water. Both s about one-quarter of the long-term fluctuations and term fluctuations in the lake levels are superimposed on the latter. changes in lake volume. Long-term fluctuations are the result of persistent low The level of each of the Great Lakes or high water supply conditions within the basin which balance between the quantity of watev climinate in extreme low levels such as were recorded lake and quantity of water removed f in 1964-65 or in extreme high levels recorded in 1972-73. of supply is precipitation on any pa A century of record in the Great Lakes Basin indicates above a lake's outlet. This reaches that there-are no regular, predictable cycles such as from the lake next upstream in the s one might expect. The intervals between periods of the precipitation falling on the drai high and low levels and the length of such periods contributing to the lake, and precipi I directly on the lake. Water leaves the lake by evapora- (a) THE STEADILY INCREASING CO tion and by flow through its outlet.river to the next IN THE BASIN, AND lake in the chain or, in the case of Lake Ontario, (b) THE NEARLY IMPERCEPTIBLE M through the St. Lawrence River to the ocean. If the CRUST IN THE REGION OF THE quantity of water received by a lake is larger than the quantity removed, the volume of waterin the lake (a) The increasing economic activi increases, the lake level rises, and its outflow the concomitant increase in consump increases. The more limited the outflow capacity, the for industrial, municipal and like greater will be the rise in water level for a given decrease the net supply to the lake volume of total inflow to the lake. The supply to a Jected land uses, industry and powe lake in one month has been as much as three times the population increases, the rates of volume of water that could be discharged through i.ts c@ould increase from a main total of outlet river during the month. The magnitudes of the to 6,000 cfs in 2000 and to 13,500 lake level and outflow fluctuations which will occur effect of this will be to decrease in the system depend upon the magnitude of water supply elevation of an unregulated lake. change and the timing of the passage of water supply regulated lake, the mean level can through the Great Lakes system. The variation in the with,the reduced supply by changing supply, which is primarily the difference between pre- rules. However, the effect of ihe cipitation on the Great Lakes and their basins and eva- would be transmitted downstream in poration from them, is the primary cause of seasonal outflows from the regulated lake. and long-term fluctuations. Net monthly water supplies to Lakes Michigan-Huron, for example, range,from a (b) The "tilting" of the earth!s c maximum of 680,000 cfs-months to a minimum of -86,000 is gradually raising the northeaste cfs-mont'hs. The negative value indicating that losses Great Lakes basin relative to its s from evaporation and outflow exceed the supply from precipitation and inflow. However, large variations in This effect isapparent on individu supplies to the lakes are absorbed and modulated to example, on Lakes Michigan-Huron, 1 on the southwestern shore, is subsi such an extent that their outflows are remarkably to land at Thessalon,-on the northe steady in comparison with the variations in flows rate of about 1.2 feet per century. exhibited by other large rivers of the world. movement, which is probably the reb earth's.crust from the weight of ic Because of the size of the Great Lakes and the limited continuing. Although it is imperce discharge capacities of their outflow rivers, extreme its cumulative effect is measurable high or low levels and flows persist for some consider- decades. The net effect of the "ti able time after the factors which caused them have ually increase the mean water eleva changed or ceased. Some measure of the importance of lakes. For regulated lakes, the ef this may be gaged from the fact that it takes three and ated by adjustment of the regulatio one-half years for only 60% of the full effect of a the limiting factor of such compens supply change to Lakes Michigan-Huron to be real.ized in the outflow from Lake Ontario. the.regulation capability, includin the outflow works and channels. Cr 3. THE MEAN LEVELS OF THE UNREGULATED LAKES WILL CHANGE not change the supply of water to t PROGRESSIVELY WITH TIME AS A RESULT OF: 44 APPENDIX TABLE C U.S.G.S. Topographic Quadrangle Maps Used in Field Survey (South to North) Lake Erie St. Clair River 1. Oregon - 1965 11. Marine City - 1968 2. Erie - 1967 2. St. Clair - 1968 3. Stoney Point - 1967 3. Port Huron -, 1968 4. Monroe - 1967 4. Lakeport -@ 1961 5. Estral Beach - 1967 6. Rockwood 1967 Lake Huron - Saginaw Bay Detroit River 1. Rush Lake - 1970 2. Caseville - 1970 1. Rockwood 1967 3. Bay Port West - 1970 2. Wyandotte 1967 4. Sebewaing 1963 3. Detroit - 1968 5. Fish Point 1963 4. Belle Isle - 1968 6. Quanicassee - 1963 7. Essexville 1967 8. Bay City N.E. - 1967 Lake St. Clair 9. KawKawlin 1967 10. Pinconning 1967 1. Belle Isle -1968 11. Standish - 1967 2 Grosse Pointe - 1968 12. Standish N.E. - 1967 3 Mt. Clemens West - 1968 13. Omer - 1968 4 Mt. Clemens East - 1968 14., AuGres - 1966, 5: New Haven - 1968 6. New Baltimore - 1968 1. Algonac - 1968 8. St. Clair Flats - 1968 9. Marine City - 1968 TABLE D Counties Included in the Presidential Disaster Declarations FLOOD November, 1972 Arenac, Bay, Berrien, Iosco, Macomb, Monroe, St. Clair, Tuscola, Wayne. FLOOD March 16 to April 10, 1973 Arenacj Bay, Berrien, Huron Iosco, Macomb, Menominee, Monroe, Saginaw, St. Clair, Sz Tuscola, Van Buren, Wayne. FLOOD June, 1973 DENIED July 26, 1973 Monroe County Public loss $88,700 Private loss $1,500,000 TABLE E MICHIGAN FLOOD DAMAGES (Spring 1951 Spring 1952) Private Property Damage Public Prope Lake-River Direct Indirect Direct Lake Erie $2,232,080 $132,000 $ 22,000 Detroit River 15,000 Lake St. Clair 995,700 135,500 279,500 St. Clair River 460,000 7,500 13,000 Lake Huron 228,500 15,100 29,400 Lake Michigan 455,000 32,000 20,000 Lake Superior Public 150,000 Private Sub-Totals $4,386,38U $322,100 Sub-Totals $513,900 Private Total $4,708,380 Public Total $555,200 Grand 1 46 APPENDIX TABLE F MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, AUGUST 31, 1973 Redford Township Troy, City of Baldwin Township Holland, Southfield, City of Bridgeman, City of New Buffalo, City of Royal 0z Meridian, Charter Township Wyandotte, City of Wyoming, City of Taketon Birmingham, City of Chikaming Township Grand Rapids, City of Menomine Chesterfield Township Grand Beach, Village of Madison Heights, City of Uninc. St. Clair Shores, City Of Lansing, City of Michiana, Village of Saginaw Grosse Point Park, City of Shelby Township Shoreham, Village of Delta Co Harrison Township Berlin Township Benton Township Uninc. Ira Township St. Clair Township Hagar Township Tawas, C Algonac, City of Dearborn, City of Plainfield Township Pentwate Farmington, City of Lincoln Township Ann Arbor, City of Lake Tow Clay Township Brownstown Township Portsmouth Township AuGres, Grosse Pointe Shores, City Fort Gratiot Township Ferrysburq, City of Gladston Monroe, City of Allen Park, City of East Tawas, City of China T Dearborn Heights, City of Bay County, Uninc. areas Menominee, City of Ecorse, New Baltimore, City of Fraser, Garfield, Gibson, Rockwood, City of Pontiac, Port Huron, City of Kawkawlin Sims Township Pontiac Sterling Heights, City of Bangor Township Waterford fownship Stephens Benton Harbor, City of Bay City, City of Genesee Township Muskegon Frenchtown Township Essexville, City of Southgate, City of Montague Erie Township Frankenlust Township AuGres Township Alpena, Luna Pier, City of Hampton Township Oscoda Township Flint, C Marine City Merritt Township Royalton Township Grand Ha Detroit, City of Pinconning Township River Rouge, City of Monroe Township Grandville, City of Wisner Township Clinton Township Kentwood, City of Bloomfield Township East China Township Estral Beach, Village of Standish Township LaSalle Township Farmington Township Whitney Township Gibralter, City of West Bloomfield Township AuSable Township Grosse Pointe Farms, City Grosse Pointe Woods, City Muskegon, City of Fraser, City of Trenton, City of Spring Lake, Village of Grosse Pointe, City of Mount Clemens, City of Coloma Township Livonia, City of Walker, City of Park Township Cottrellville Township Warren, City of Marysville, City of Grosse Ile Township Norton Shores, City of St. Clair, City of Inkster, City of St. Joseph, City of Genessee County, Uninc. areas A COASTAL ZONE INFOR1,1ATION CENTER