Weather conditions:
Arctic air continues to invade the Great Lakes Basin keeping temperatures below freezing. A few areas experienced light snow showers during the last few days with accumulations totaling less than an inch. The current weather pattern is keeping major storm systems to the south of the Great Lakes basin. Looking forward to the upcoming weekend, cold temperatures will persist with some areas seeing light snow showers.
Water Level Conditions:
Currently, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are 3 and 5 inches, respectively, higher than their levels last year at this time. Lakes St. Clair is 5 inches below its level of a year ago, while Lake Erie remains near last years level. Lake Ontario is 8 inches below its level of a year ago. The water level of Lake Superior is expected to decline by 2 inches, over the next month, while Lake Michigan-Huron will remain steady. The water levels of Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are expected to increase by 4, 2 and 1 inches, respectively, over the next month. Over the next few months, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are forecasted to be above their water levels of a year ago. Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are forecasted to remain below last year's levels over the same time period.
See the USACE Daily Levels web page for more water level information.
Current outflows / channel conditions:
The outflow from Lake Superior into the St. Marys River is forecasted to be below average. The outflow from Lake Huron into the St. Clair River is forecasted to be near average. Above average flows are expected for the Detroit River, Niagara River, and St. Lawrence River. Ice build-up in the connecting channels can greatly affect flows and may cause significant fluctuations in water levels.
Alerts:
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.