This line graph describes the highest percentage of the lake. Surface covered by ice in three of the Great Lakes from 2000 to 2020. There is a general trend of similar levels in Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, while Lake Erie followed a different pattem. However, all of the lalles show a sharp decline after 2015.
First, in Lake Superior there is a considerable variation in the ice coverage, starting at 40%. in 2000, with a high of 90%. in 2015 and a low of 20% in 2020. Meanwhile, Lave Michigan has a lower percentage of ice each year, but the changes are consistent in looth Lakes. The high peaked around 80% in 2015 and the low fell to 20% in 2020. The greatest difference between the two lakes was in 2005, when Lalle Superior had 50% coverage and Lake Michigan had approximately 30%
By contrast, Lake Erie had a completely different trend, as the maximum amount of ice fluctuated between only 90% and 95% from 2000 to 2015. After that point, the percentage dropped dramatically to a mere 40%. in 2020.
Looking at the graph, it is clear that overall, there was a significant decrease in the maximum amount of surface ice in these three Great Lakes in 2020.