2019-Jul-29
July 28 Water Levels Report
Last week and this coming week all of the basin has received and will receive substantial rainfall, particularly in Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron.
Water levels remain high across the Great Lakes. Since last month: Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are unchanged; Lake St. Clair is up 1 inch; and Lakes Erie and Ontario are down 2 and 6 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are above their record high July monthly means by 2, 4, 4, and 3 inches, respectively, whereas Lake Michigan-Huron is 1 inch below. Lake Superior’s level is projected to be near its current level in one month. In contrast, Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are projected to be 1, 4, 6 and 10 inches, respectively, less than their current levels.
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 July. Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River is also forecasted to be above average.
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.