By IUGLS
April 8, 2011
The numbers are in, and March was above average for precipitation in the Great Lakes basin. The lakes are now in their spring rise, but are expected to remain at below-average levels for the time being, according to the latest data from Environment Canada.
Overall, the lakes received about 7 percent more precipitation than on average during the month of March (or 107 percent). Lakes Erie and Ontario were responsible for most of the rise, with 140 percent average precipitation on Erie and 131 percent on Ontario.
However, that won’t translate to increased water levels throughout the basin. During March, Lake Superior received just 60 percent of its average precipitation, due to drier and cooler conditions, Environment Canada has reported. Lakes Michigan and Huron were just a hint above average, at 108 percent.
Officials with Environment Canada also note that a St. Clair River ice jam has cleared, causing levels there to rebound substantially. Lake St. Clair began March with levels down to 13 centimeters (about 5 inches) below chart datum; the lake was 38 centimeters (about 15 inches) above chart datum by the end of March. That clearing ice also helped increase Michigan-Huron levels.
As of April 5, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are both lower (22 and 25 centimeters, respectively) than at this time in 2010.
The levels of Erie and Ontario, which experienced the most precipitation in March, are higher than at this time a year ago, with rises of 6 and 10 centimeters, or about 2 and 4 inches, respectively.
Lake Superior is expected to rise 2 inches in April, according to April 1 data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, Erie, and Ontario are predicted to rise 3-5 inches.
Environment Canada notes that all of the Great Lakes are experiencing lower-than-average water levels for early April, ranging from 37 centimeters below average on Superior to 3 centimeters below average on Ontario. Those long-term averages are based on figures dating back to 1918.
The Army Corps says water levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are forecasted to remain below chart datum for the next several months.
Overall, the lakes received about 7 percent more precipitation than on average during the month of March (or 107 percent). Lakes Erie and Ontario were responsible for most of the rise, with 140 percent average precipitation on Erie and 131 percent on Ontario.
However, that won’t translate to increased water levels throughout the basin. During March, Lake Superior received just 60 percent of its average precipitation, due to drier and cooler conditions, Environment Canada has reported. Lakes Michigan and Huron were just a hint above average, at 108 percent.
Officials with Environment Canada also note that a St. Clair River ice jam has cleared, causing levels there to rebound substantially. Lake St. Clair began March with levels down to 13 centimeters (about 5 inches) below chart datum; the lake was 38 centimeters (about 15 inches) above chart datum by the end of March. That clearing ice also helped increase Michigan-Huron levels.
As of April 5, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are both lower (22 and 25 centimeters, respectively) than at this time in 2010.
The levels of Erie and Ontario, which experienced the most precipitation in March, are higher than at this time a year ago, with rises of 6 and 10 centimeters, or about 2 and 4 inches, respectively.
Lake Superior is expected to rise 2 inches in April, according to April 1 data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, Erie, and Ontario are predicted to rise 3-5 inches.
Environment Canada notes that all of the Great Lakes are experiencing lower-than-average water levels for early April, ranging from 37 centimeters below average on Superior to 3 centimeters below average on Ontario. Those long-term averages are based on figures dating back to 1918.
The Army Corps says water levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are forecasted to remain below chart datum for the next several months.