2020-Jan-21
January 19 Water Levels Report
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. From a month ago the water level on Lakes Superior is down 1 inch, Lake Erie, St Clair and Ontario are 6, 7, and 1 inches higher, respectively, and Lake Michigan-Huron is unchanged. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 18, 16, 8 & 9 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 15, 37, 41, 32 & 19 inches, respectively above their long term January average. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior, Michigan Huron and St. Clair are expected to be down by 3, 1 and 4 inches, respectively, Lake Erie is expected to be unchanged and Lake Ontario is expected to increase by 4 inches.
Outflows from Lake Superior into the St. Mary’s River and Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow into the St. Clair River are predicted to be above average for January. Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River and Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River are also forecasted to be above average in January. In addition, Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River is projected to be above average for January.
High water levels and potentially record high water levels are expected to persist for at least the next six months, so flood prone areas are expected to remain vulnerable. Water levels and flows in the connecting channels can be significantly impacted by ice during the winter months.
The satellite image from Sunday Jan 19 is clear for the north part of the Bay and the North Channel and shows substantial growth in ice cover, including along the east coast where visible.
