By Jeff Kart
January 10, 2011
The latest forecast shows below-average Great Lakes water levels for most of the region.
The lakes are still in their seasonal decline, with levels below those of a year ago. Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are down by 9 and 13 inches (about 23.9 and 33 centimeters), respectively.
Lake Erie is 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) below last year's level, as measured by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Ontario is at the same level as at this time in January 2010, about 244 feet (74.4 meters).
Lakes Erie and Ontario are expected to decline by up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) during the next month.
A joint report by the Army Corps and Environment Canada predicts that Lakes Michigan-Huron will be 21 inches below average by June, with Lake Erie 6 inches below average (53.3 and 15.2 centimeters). As noted by the Windsor Star, summer water levels in the lakes are connected to the amount of rain and snow that accumulates in prior months. Lake Superior, which helps feed the lower lakes, reportedly had only 88 percent of its average precipitation in 2010.
The latest bulletin from the North American Ice Service calls for below or near normal temperatures across the Great Lakes basin this month, with thin areas of ice across the lakes. Warmer temperatures and thin ice cover can contribute to evaporation and lowered lake levels.
It bears note that more precipitation this winter and spring can still affect the June predictions.
The lakes are still in their seasonal decline, with levels below those of a year ago. Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are down by 9 and 13 inches (about 23.9 and 33 centimeters), respectively.
Lake Erie is 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) below last year's level, as measured by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Ontario is at the same level as at this time in January 2010, about 244 feet (74.4 meters).
Lakes Erie and Ontario are expected to decline by up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) during the next month.
A joint report by the Army Corps and Environment Canada predicts that Lakes Michigan-Huron will be 21 inches below average by June, with Lake Erie 6 inches below average (53.3 and 15.2 centimeters). As noted by the Windsor Star, summer water levels in the lakes are connected to the amount of rain and snow that accumulates in prior months. Lake Superior, which helps feed the lower lakes, reportedly had only 88 percent of its average precipitation in 2010.
The latest bulletin from the North American Ice Service calls for below or near normal temperatures across the Great Lakes basin this month, with thin areas of ice across the lakes. Warmer temperatures and thin ice cover can contribute to evaporation and lowered lake levels.
It bears note that more precipitation this winter and spring can still affect the June predictions.