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Boreal Community Media

Great Lakes expected to see higher than usual water levels through summer

Apr 25, 2019 10:32AM ● By Editor

Photo:  EPA


By Benjamin Raven | [email protected] - April 25, 2019

The water levels on the Great Lakes are expected to rise a couple of inches this spring and remain well above normal levels throughout the summer.

The National Weather Service in Gaylord published a chart Thursday, April 24 breaking down the measurements and projections for each Great Lake.

“Great Lakes water levels remain well above normal, with Lake Huron and Lake Michigan +38 inches above chart datum, while Lake Superior remains around +16 inches above chart datum," the weather service writes.

"The latest trends suggest yet another couple inch rise on most Great Lakes water levels this spring.”

By May, the NWS projects Lake Superior to rise by 3 inches, Michigan and Huron by 4 inches, Erie by 2 inches and Ontario by 11. The most recent forecasts have Lake Superior at 602.43 feet, Michigan-Huron at 580.64 feet, Erie at 573.59 feet and Ontario at 246.46.

Water level projections in the Great Lakes from the National Weather Service

Water level projections in the Great Lakes from the National Weather Service.

“Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Mary’s River, and Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow into the St. Clair River, are forecasted to be above average in April," the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District writes on its website.

"Moreover, the outflow of Lake St. Clair through the Detroit River is predicted to be above average. Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River and the outflow of Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River are forecasted to be above average for April as well.”

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