Lake level

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Lake Level Conditions:  Currently, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are near their levels from 2009.  Lake St. Clair is 7 inches below its level of a year ago while Lakes Erie and Ontario are 15 and 16 inches, respectively, below their levels of a year ago.  Much of the difference between last year's and this year's levels of Lakes Erie and Ontario can be attributed to the significant amount of snow that fell in 2009 versus what has fallen this year.  Over the next month, the water levels of Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are expected to increase by 1 and 2 inches respectively.  Lake St. Clair is predicted to rise an inch over the next thirty days while Lakes Erie and Ontario are expected to rise approximately 5 and 6 inches, respectively, over the same timeframe.  Over the next few months, all of the Great Lakes are expected to be below their levels of a year ago. See our Daily Levels web page for more water level information.

Forecasted March Outflows/Channel Conditions: The outflow from Lake Superior into the St. Mary's River is forecasted to be below average. The outflow from Lake Huron into the St. Clair River is forecasted to be near average. Near average flows are expected for the Detroit River and Niagara River. The St. Lawrence River is expected to have above average flows in March. Ice build-up in the connecting channels can greatly affect flows and may cause significant fluctuations in water levels. 
Great lakes water levels