CLEVELAND — Cleveland has been cold this December. As a matter of fact, as of Dec. 15, we are running about 12 degrees below average.
Lake Erie has been cooling too.
Currently Lake Erie is 12.75% ice covered.
Keep in mind the ice is VERY thin, but it’s there — you can see it in shallows and sheltered bays.
Seasonal ice cover plays an important ecological role in maintaining the overall health of Lake Erie. When ice forms, it acts as an insulating barrier between the water and the atmosphere, stabilizing winter water temperatures and reducing wind-driven mixing and shoreline erosion. This calmer winter environment helps protect fish eggs and benthic organisms from physical disturbance and excessive energy loss. Ice cover also limits light penetration and slows biological activity, which can reduce winter algal growth and help regulate nutrient cycling until spring. In addition, a stable ice season can influence the timing of spring stratification and plankton blooms, setting the stage for productive food webs later in the year. As a result, the presence, duration, and extent of ice cover are closely linked to ecosystem balance and long-term resilience in Lake Erie.