2019-Jun-19
June 17 Water Levels Report
Additional precipitation and high flows are anticipated to continue to contribute to extremely high lake levels. Lakes Erie, Superior, Michigan-Huron, and Ontario are predicted to rise above the previous month’s levels by 4, 4, 6 and 9 inches respectively. All lakes are predicted to have higher levels than last year by 10-13 inches, with Ontario forecasted to be 27 inches above last year’s level. Over the next month for both Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are projected to rise by 2 inches, and Lakes Erie and Ontario are projected to decrease by 3 and 6 inches respectively.
Outflows from Lake Superior through the St. Mary’s River, and Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow into the St. Clair River, are projected to be above average in June. Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River is also forecasted to be above average.
High water levels are expected to persist for at least the next six months, so flood prone areas are expected to remain vulnerable.
Looking ahead, there does not appear to be any likely change in the weather patterns of recent years, that have caused higher precipitation levels, which have more than offset higher evaporation rates from increased water and air temperatures, and less ice cover. Accordingly, it appears at this time, that, over the next few years, further water levels increases are more likely to occur than water levels decreases.
