2020-Mar-25
March 22 Water Levels Report
An approaching winter storm will impact the region this weekend with a significant amount of precipitation expected.
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 and St Clair are 2 inches higher and Lakes Michigan-Huron and Ontario are unchanged. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 17, 9, 4 & 7 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 16, 37, 33, 28 & 16 inches, respectively above their long term March average. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior and Michigan Huron are expected to be down by 3 and 1 inches, respectively, Lake Erie is expected to be unchanged and Lakes St. Clair and Ontario are forecast to be up by 1 and 6 inches respectively.
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 March. 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 March. In addition, Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River is projected to be above average for March.
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.