Chilly Weather Brings Hidden Treasures to the Surface on the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes have a secret. When winter storms hit, they can pull back the water like a curtain, revealing hidden treasures beneath. Shipwrecks, old piers, and even underwater reefs can pop up when the wind and weather team up to push water away from the shore. This isn't magic—it's science. Strong winds during winter can move massive amounts of water, exposing things that usually stay hidden. Lake Erie is the star of this show. It's the shallowest of the Great Lakes, so even small changes in wind can make big waves—or in this case, big exposures. Over Thanksgiving, a shipwreck that had been underwater for over a century suddenly appeared near Kingsville, Ontario. It wasn't the ship that moved; it was the water that left. Strong winds pushed the water away, revealing the wreck before the lake reclaimed it.This isn't a one-time trick. In January 2024, a photographer captured images of a normally submerged reef near Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The storm had pushed the water away, exposing boulders and trees that usually sit six to nine feet underwater. Locals even spotted what they thought might be an old sunken barge near Oregon, Ohio. But before experts could take a closer look, the water returned, covering everything up again. Why does this happen more in winter? Winter storms are stronger and last longer. They push water from one end of the lake to the other, creating what scientists call a seiche. When the wind shifts or weakens, the water rushes back, sometimes exposing hidden features. Lake Erie is especially sensitive to this because of its shallow depth. These winter storms aren't just a modern phenomenon. They've been dangerous for centuries. In 1844, a massive seiche hit Buffalo, flooding the city and killing dozens. More recently, in January 2024, a blizzard caused a similar surge, pushing water out of parts of western Lake Erie. So, while winter storms can be dangerous, they also give us a rare glimpse into the hidden world beneath the Great Lakes. It's a reminder that nature always has surprises in store.