Weather conditions:
A large storm system made its way into the Great Lakes basin early this past week and brought cooler temperatures and rain along with it. Mid-week, overnight temperatures dipped to the freezing mark in many areas across the basin as high pressure and dry weather settled in. Looking ahead, a slow moving low pressure system is on its way to the basin and is expected to bring about an inch of rain to the region this weekend and early next week. Drier conditions and seasonal temperatures will return as this system moves out of the area.
Lake Level Conditions:
Lakes Ontario and Superior are presently 9 and 10 inches higher than they were at this time last year, respectively. Lakes Michigan-Huron and Erie are 1 inch lower than last year's level while Lake St. Clair is 3 inches lower than last year's level. Lakes Michigan Huron and Superior are predicted to rise 3 and 4 inches over the next month, respectively. Lakes Erie and Ontario are predicted to fall two inches, while Lake St. Clair is projected to stay the same over the next 30 days. Lakes Superior and Ontario are forecasted to stay above last year's water levels through October, while the remaining lakes are forecasted to remain at or below their levels of a year ago over the next several months.
See the USACE Daily Levels web page for more water level information.
Current outflows / channel conditions:
Outflows from the St. Marys, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are expected to be below average for May while outflows from the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers are forecasted to be above average.
Alerts:
Lake Superior is currently below chart datum, but is forecasted to go above chart datum in June. Lake Michigan Huron is currently at chart datum and is expected to rise and remain a few inches above datum through October. Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels. Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings.
General Resources Current Month's Daily Lake Averages U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District This page displays tabular average Great Lakes water level data for the past four months. You can view the information in feet or meters.
Great Lakes Water Level Photo Gallery GLERL / Great Lakes Sea Grant Extension Office Geographically organized, this gallery features both current and historical coastal images and links to related water level updates.
Great Lakes Water Levels NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) Includes historical hydrographs illustrating monthly water levels 1860-present, as well as information about the current situation and the year's outlook.
Hourly Station Levels Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canadian Hydrographic Service CHS gauging stations' hourly water levels data and graphs for the past and current month. Elevation in meters above chart datum, referenced to IGLD (1985). Data are provisional.
Recent and Forecasted Water Levels on the Great Lakes Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canadian Hydrographic Service Includes average monthly water levels for the previous year and the current year to date. Period of record is 1918-1996. Elevations are in meters referred to chart datum and IGLD (1985).
Tides and Water Levels Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Marine Environmental Data Service Provides last daily and latest weekly averages. Elevations are in meters IGLD.
Education TEACH Great Lakes: Water Levels Water levels are part of the ebb and flow of nature. Learn about the three types of water level fluctuations, how levels are measured on the Great Lakes, and what's causing the recent drop.
LEVEL News Environment Canada, Water Issues Division, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Regulation Office Features articles each month about water levels of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence.
References Great Lakes Water Levels Home Page U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District A regularly updated page of links to information on Great Lakes hydrology. Includes current conditions, recent water levels, forecasted levels, general news and information, multimedia, reference materials, and more!
Great Lakes Water Level Photo Gallery GLERL / Great Lakes Sea Grant Extension Office Geographically organized, this gallery features both current and historical coastal images and links to related water level updates.
Living with the Lakes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Great Lakes Commission This 40-page full-color publication offers a thorough overview of water \r\nlevel changes, impacts and regulation, as well as advice on shoreline \r\nprotection. Published jointly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Detroit District and the Great Lakes Commission.