March 05, 2008
Water Level Changes Mirror Supply Conditions
IJC: Ottawa/Washington - Water supplies to each of the Great Lakes except Lake Superior were above average during February. As a result, water levels increased on each of the lakes except Lake Superior during the month. The level of Lake Superior fell a bit more than average during February, while levels on Lakes Michigan-Huron experienced a small, but welcome, increase. Water levels on lakes Erie and Ontario increased much more than average during the month.
Daily water levels on Lake Superior fell 7 cm during February, 2 cm more than the lake’s average February decline of 5 cm. As indicated in the water level information table provided below, the lake began March approximately 27 cm below its long-term average beginning-of-March level. Nevertheless, it was still 20 cm higher than it was at the same time last year.
The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron rose by 3 cm during February instead of falling by 1 cm, as it has on average during the month. The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron was 53 cm below average at the beginning of March and 13 cm lower than it was one year ago.
Water supplies to both lakes Erie and Ontario were well above average during February due to precipitation and runoff received early in the month. As a result, daily water levels on these two lakes increased much more than average during February: 21 and 16 cm, respectively, instead of increasing by just 2 or 3 cm as they have on average during the month. Water levels on lakes Erie and Ontario began March above average, but lower than they were at the same time last year.
Six-Month Forecast
With average water supply conditions, the level of Lake Superior is expected to fall slightly during March, while the levels of the other Great Lakes are expected to increase.
For a complete range of probable water levels on each of the lakes over the next six months, please refer to the February 2008 edition of the
Monthly Waterlevel Bulletin.
For information please contact:
Canadian Section Office (Ottawa)
Greg McGillis
Public Affairs Advisor
613-947-1420
mcgillisg@ottawa.ijc.org
U. S. Section Office (Washington)
Frank Bevacqua
Public Information Officer
202-736-9024
bevacquaf@washington.ijc.org