Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-06
Hlah Mnters on the Lakea.

A friend has sent us an extract from the
the Buffalo Gazette Of May, 1915, containing
statements respecting high water at that time
in Lake Erie. Before we give it, however, we
remind cur readers that we published in June,
ls5s, az abstract Of all the known observations
on this subject, collected and arranged with
great labor by Col WHIrrLEsET,
By reference to tho Daily Leader Of June
lst, the substance Of many hundred measure
ments may ba seen extending back to the year
1898. Before the great rise in 1888 there is
not much to be found but tradition, which Col.
W. had gathered with much care, reaching to
the years I7ss and 1870. Such measurements
aud observations having been made and pub
iished, flying reports and surmises are Of little
value.
By this table tho water was nearly as high
ia the year 1890 as in 1888. In 1896 it was
very low, baing Eve feet below June, 1888,
which enabled the early settlers along the
south shors Of Lake Erie 70 travel on the
beach. Again in 1910 it was low. AS the
BaffalO paper states, it was high in 1915 and
1916 In 1919 it reached the lowest known
level and from that year rose gradually TO 1888,
when it assumed higher level than had then
been known From that year it sunk away
till 1912, and then rising gradually, in 1853
came up TO the level of June, 1898. In the
Spring Of 1859, the register kept here by Capt.
b. sTANARD shows that it was higher than in
1888.
The following paragraph is taken from the
Buffalo Gazette of May, 1915:
LAKE ERIE OVERLOOKING From some un-
known csuse the water IN this Lake has been
rising for about three years, during which time
it has risen nearly three feet; and according to
its natural motion will continue to rise during
tho summer. The Niagara River, rising in
proportion to TIE increased supply of water
from the western world, by the rapidity of its
cuFTelt, is rendered more difficult 70 pass. We
have not heard the opinion of any gentlemen
OF science on the subject, qualified TO investi-
gate the cause, or give any probable cohjscture
as 60 the source from whence It may spring
May it not arise from the Improvements of the
lands lying on the margin of Lake Erie, ad-
hitting more free passage of the Water in its
tributary stroalnsl
As to the suggestion that the clearing of the
land on both shores may have had some effect,
there may be slight influence from this cause.
But since the article was written, the lowest
known stage of water has occurred; that is
in 1919, and again in Is42 almost as low.
The canse Of high and low water has been
frequently explained in the Geological and Ne
teOrolOgioal Reports of States bordering on the
Lakes. There appears to be no doubt in the
minds Of scientific men that il is a natural
result of differences in the quantity of rain
and Of evaporation. rt-st
The extreme variation of level is about six
feet. From the Reports above alluded to, it
appears that all the Lakes have about the same
huctuation, but the movement is not in all ol
them at the same time The Rivers st. Law
renee, Niagara, Detroit, and St. Narys, OfeOurse
rise and fall with the level of the Lakes which
discharge through them. The tradition Of a
seven years rise ard seven years fall is wholly
exploded BY the Registers that have been kept
during the past twenty years.
We are informed by Capt sTANARD, that
Lake Erie has fallen about two feet since April
last srs.- 8a..