Weather conditions:
High pressure lead to mild sunny days and clear cool nights across the Great Lakes basin this week. Only trace amounts of precipitation were recorded in the basin. A weak cold front will bring a slight chance for rain and cooler temperatures to the region for the weekend, with milder weather slated to return early next week.
Water Level Conditions:
All of the Great Lakes except for Lake Ontario remain several inches higher than their levels of a year ago. Lake Ontario's level is the same as it was last year at this time. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair and Erie are 2, 11, 8, and 6 inches, respectively, higher than their levels last year at this time. The water levels of Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron and St. Clair are expected to decline by 2 inches over the next month. Lake Erie and Ontario are expected to decline 1 and 2 inches, respectively, over the next 30 days. Over the next several months, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron and Lake St. Clair are forecasted to be above their water levels of a year ago. Lakes Erie and Ontario are forecasted to remain near or 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:
In October, the outflow from Lake Superior through the St. Mary's River and the outflow from Lake Michigan-Huron through the St. Clair River were below average. The flow in the Detroit River was also below average. The Niagara River carried near average flows during October, while the outflow from Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River was above average in October.
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.