Changes
Since 1909 the United States and Canada have cooperated on the management and control of lake water with the International Joint Commission (IJC). At [[Niagara Falls]], as much as 60% of the water is diverted for [[hydroelectric power]] generation for [[Ontario]] and [[New York State]].
Because of the large size of the lakes many of the larger cities (notably [[Buffalo, New York]]) experience lake effect snow, where westerly winds capture moisture over the unfrozen lakes and when cooled over the land, heavy snows can fall. Additionally the lakes can moderate the warm temperatures in the summer, and release the heat in the fall.
== Decline in Water Levels ==
