JANUARY 2010 GREAT LAKES WATER LEVEL SUMMARY
LAKE SUPERIOR
Lake Superior’s water level fell 4 inches in January, continuing its seasonal decline. January’s mean water level of 601.08 feet was near chart datum, 3 inches higher than last year but 5 inches below its long-term average (LTA). Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River was near average in January. Precipitation in January was 49% of average and precipitation over the last 12 months is 78% of average. Lake Superior is forecasted to continue its seasonal decline in February, but remain 1 to 3 inches above last year’s level through July of 2010. The lake is expected to be 1 to 3 inches below chart datum in February, March and April, and then be 1 to 7 inches above datum in May, June and July. Lake Superior is forecasted to remain 4 to 5 inches below its LTA over the next 6 months.
LAKE MICHIGAN-HURON
Lake Michigan-Huron also continued its seasonal decline during January, with its water level 3 inches lower than December. Its mean water level of 577.92 feet was 5 inches higher than chart datum, 6 inches higher than last year but 6 inches below its LTA. January’s mean was also the highest level to start a year since 1999. The Michigan-Huron basin received 46% of its average precipitation in January, but near average precipitation during the past 12 months. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River was near average in January. The lake is forecasted to be 7 to 8 inches below its LTA over the next 6 months. Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to be 2 to 4 inches above last year through April, then 1 to 2 inches below last year from May to July. Water levels are also forecasted to remain 4 to 16 inches above chart datum through July.
LAKE ST. CLAIR
The level of Lake St. Clair fell 6 inches in during January, with much of this decline attributed to a large ice jam in the lower St. Clair River. During the winter months, ice flows down the river and can get clogged in the channels making up the St. Clair River delta. The impacts of the ice jams are magnified when Lake St. Clair has developed a solid ice cover. Lake St. Clair’s monthly mean water level of 573.23 feet was 9 inches lower than it was a year ago and 5 inches lower than its LTA. Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River was near average during January. The latest 6-month forecast projects Lake St. Clair to be 4 to 7 inches below last year through July. The lake is predicted to be near average in February and March, and then 3 inches below average in through July. Water levels on Lake St. Clair can fluctuate greatly during the winter months due to ice conditions in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers.
LAKE ERIE
Lake Erie continued its seasonal decline in January, falling 1 inch. Its mean water level of 570.33 feet was near last year’s level and 2 inches below than average. Precipitation in the Lake Erie basin was 60% of average in January and 105% of average over the past year. Outflow from Lake Erie into the Niagara River was above average during January. Lake Erie is forecasted to be 4 to 10 inches below its levels of a year ago from February to July. Lake Erie is also projected to be near or slightly below its LTA through the next 6 months.
LAKE ONTARIO
Lake Ontario rose 1 inch during January. Its mean water level of 244.46 was 10 inches below last year’s level and 2 inches below its LTA. Lake Ontario received 69% of average precipitation in January and near average precipitation has fallen over the past 12 months. The Lake Ontario outflow through the St. Lawrence River was near average in January. The latest 6 month forecast projects Lake Ontario to be 6 to 14 inches below its levels of a year ago through July. Lake Ontario is also expected to remain 1 to 5 inches below its LTA during the same time period.
See this Daily Levels web page for more water level information.
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