International Lake Superior Board of Control

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain near record-highs for this time of year, and although they are expected to continue their seasonal declines in January, levels are expected to remain high over the next several months and may again exceed record-highs if wet conditions continue in 2020.

The Board expects the total outflow from Lake Superior to be 2,820 m3/s in November, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting will be lowered in stages beginning in late November to allow for a gradual reduction in St. Marys Rapids flows and water levels prior to winter.

An on-line questionnaire has been developed that allows impacted shoreline property owners to report directly on their experiences in 2019 (https://ijc.org/en/glam/watershed/questionnaire/high-water-levels-2019).

The International Lake Superior Board of Control (Board) expects the total outflow from Lake Superior to be 2,840 m3/s in September, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting at the Compensating Works will be maintained at the equivalent of nine gates fully open.

Water levels across the Great Lakes system remain near or above record-highs for this time of year. Lake Superior is expected to remain relatively stable in August and Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to begin its seasonal decline.

Wet conditions continued across the Lake Michigan-Huron basin in June and resulted in water levels rising to record highs by the end of the month. Conditions were relatively drier in the Lake Superior basin, but Lake Superior remains above record high water levels for this time of year.

Wet conditions continued across the upper Great Lakes basin in May. Lake Superior has exceeded record high water levels for this time of year and water levels of Lake Michigan-Huron are also now approaching record high values.

Water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average, and Lake Superior has the potential to reach or exceed record highs in May should wet conditions continue.

The above-average levels coupled with strong winds and waves continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across the upper Great Lakes system.