Weather conditions:
Temperatures were moderate throughout the entire Great Lakes region this past week. In addition, most of the region experienced insignificant precipitation. Near average temperatures will continue throughout the weekend and into early next week. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday for most of the Great Lakes basin.
Lake Level Conditions:
All of the Great Lakes were higher than they were at this time last year. Lake Superior is 17 inches above last year's level while lake Michigan-Huron is 8 inches higher than it was a year ago. Lakes St. Clair and Erie are 7 inches higher than they were last year while Lake Ontario is 13 inches above last year's level. Lake Superior is projected to rise 1 inch over the next 30 days, while Lake Michigan-Huron is predicted to fall 1 inch. Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are forecasted to fall 5 to 8 inches during the next month. All of the Great Lakes are expected to remain above their water levels of a year ago over the next few months.
See the USACE Daily Levels web page for more water level information.
Current outflows / channel conditions:
In July, outflow through the St. Mary's River was slightly below average, and outflows through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers were also below average. The Niagara River's outflow was slightly above average, while outflow from the St. Lawrence River was also above average.
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.