2019-Sep-15
September 15 Water Levels Report
The majority of the Great Lakes have entered their seasonal declines at this time but levels are still high compared to long term averages. Lake Superior and Lake St. Clair are one inch above their highest monthly average for September, Lake Erie is 2 inches above and Lakes Michigan-Huron and Ontario are 5 inches below. Lake levels are forecasted to continue their seasonal decline headed into October with predicted net decreases of 1 inch on Lake Superior, 3 inches on Lake Michigan-Huron, 5 inches on both Lake St. Clair and Erie, and 8 inches on Lake Ontario.
Outflows from Lake Superior into the St. Mary’s River are forecasted to be above average for September. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River, are also projected to be above average in September. Moreover, Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are predicted to be above average for September.
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.
