Great Lakes Water Level Update for December 01, 2006

Lake Superior is currently 13 inches lower than it was a year ago, while the levels of the remaining lakes range from 2 to 10 inches higher than those of a year ago. Currently, all of the lakes are in their period of seasonal decline.

Over the next month, the water level in Lake Superior is projected to fall 3 inches, while Lakes Michigan-Huron and St. Clair are expected to decline 2 inches. Lakes Erie and Ontario are predicted to fall 1 and 4 inches, respectively. Over the next few months, Lake Superior is expected to remain well below last year’s levels, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are predicted to remain near the water levels of a year ago.

Due to abnormally dry conditions on the Lake Superior basin over the last five months, Lake Superior’s water level is currently below chart datum and is expected to remain below datum through April.

The last time Lake Superior was this low at this time of year was in December 1925.

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers