Despite abundance of water in Great Lakes region, some areas can run short

February 7, 2011 - 06:48 — glbm

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Despite having more fresh water than anywhere else in the world, the Great Lakes region could experience shortages in some locations because of climate shifts or surging demand, a federal analysis says. The five-year study by the U.S. Geological Survey, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of its scheduled release Monday, describes the Great Lakes as an aquatic treasure trove. The lakes themselves have 6 quadrillion gallons — enough to spread a foot-deep layer across North America, South America and Africa — and the volume of groundwater surpasses that of Lake Huron.

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