The Great Lakes are now the lowest they have ever been because of a lack of rain and higher temperatures causing more evaporation.

Two of the Great Lakes have hit their lowest water levels ever recorded.  For an entire decade, the area has seen below-normal rain and snowfall and higher temperatures that boost evaporation. 

Measurements were taken last month.  Lake Huron and Lake Michigan have reached their lowest ebb since record taking began back in 1918.

Some say it could get worse.

The lakes are 29 inches below their long term average and had declined 17 inches since January of 2012.

Lake Superior, Erie and Ontario are well below average too.

Experts say it's an extreme situation. 

The low water has caused economic losses.  Cargo ships have been forced to carry lighter loads.  Boat docks are left high and dry.  Fish-spawning areas are damaged.

Vegetation has sprung up in newly exposed shoreline bottomlands.  Tourists don't like this.  Hotel customers want sandy beaches.

Shippers are now pleading with Congress for more money to dredge the harbors and channels.

The Army Corps may place structures in a river to reduce the flow of water away from Lakes Huron and Michigan.