Photo:  The Weather Network

Media release from the International Lake Superior Board of Control - January 4, 2019  

December, like October and November, saw wet conditions across the upper Great Lakes basin, and water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average.

The above-average levels coupled with strong winds and waves continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across the upper Great Lakes system. Additional shoreline erosion and coastal damages may occur this winter should active weather continue.

Lake Superior declined 7 cm (3 in) overall last month and Lake Michigan-Huron declined 2 cm (1 in), which are both below average declines for December. On average, Lake Superior declines 8 cm (3 in) and Lake Michigan-Huron declines 5 cm (2 in) in December.

At the beginning of January, Lake Superior is 29 cm (11 in) above average (1918 – 2017), and 5 cm (2 in) below the level at this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 52 cm (20 in) above average, and 8 cm (3 in) above last year’s beginning-of-January level. Both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are expected to continue their seasonal declines in January.

In consideration of the continuing high water levels in the upper Great Lakes, and to accommodate expected maintenance at the hydropower plants, the International Lake Superior Board of Control (Board) recently requested and received approval from the International Joint Commission (IJC) to temporarily deviate from Regulation Plan 2012 this winter.

All three hydropower plants will continue to be directed to flow at their maximum available capacity, but the total combined capacity is expected to be less than normal due to required maintenance activities in December and continuing into January.

To offset the effects of these activities, over the winter months the Board will release more water through the control structure at the head of the St. Marys Rapids by maintaining a gate setting equivalent to two gates fully open instead of the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open.

As a result, flows less than Plan 2012 are expected in January, while flows greater than Plan 2012 are expected later in winter as hydropower maintenance is completed and capacity returns to normal. The total amount of water released through the St. Marys River this winter will be approximately equal to releases called for by Plan 2012, and the net effects on the water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are expected to be minimal by spring.