Update on Lake Superior Outflows and Expected Conditions - September 2021

As a result of the drier than average weather and water supply conditions, Lake Superior water levels have declined and have reached the seasonal long-term average for the first time since April 2014. Conditions have been wetter in the Lake Michigan-Huron basin and water levels are midway between the seasonal long-term average and the record high water levels that were observed last year. Lake Superior outflows continue to be set in consideration of water levels upstream and downstream.

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,110 m3/s (74.5 tcfs) in September, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting at the Compensating Works will be maintained at the setting equivalent to one half gate open (Gates #7 through #10 partially open 20 cm). There will be no change to the setting of Gate #1, which supplies a flow of about 15 m3/s to the channel north of the Fishery Remedial Dike.

Weather and water supply conditions were drier than average on Lake Superior and wetter than average on Lake Michigan-Huron in August. As a result, Lake Superior declined 3 cm (1.2 in), while on average the lake rises 1 cm (0.4 in) in August. Lake Michigan-Huron declined 2 cm (0.8 in) last month. Historically, Lake Michigan-Huron declines an average of 4 cm (1.6 in) in August. At the beginning of September, Lake Superior is 1 cm (0.4 in) below the long-term average water level (1918 – 2020) and 26 cm (10.2 in) below the level of a year ago. Lake Michigan-Huron is 45 cm (17.7 in) above average and 40 cm (15.7 in) below the record-high level set at this time last year.

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels typically decline in September. Depending on the weather and water supply conditions during the next month, Lake Superior may rise slightly or may decline by as much as 7 cm (2.8 in) in September. Lake Michigan-Huron water levels could decline by as much as 15 cm (5.9 in).

Shoreline businesses and property owners are reminded that the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee continues to host an online questionnaire to allow for direct reporting on impacts related to high water conditions: https://ijc.org/glam/questionnaire.

The International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for regulating the outflow of Lake Superior and managing the control works on the St. Marys River. Under any regulation plan, the ability to regulate the outflow from Lake Superior does not mean that full control of lake levels is possible. This is because the major factors affecting water supply to the Great Lakes, precipitation, evaporation, and runoff cannot be controlled, and are difficult to accurately predict. Outflow management cannot eliminate the risk of extreme water levels from occurring during periods of severe weather and water supply conditions. Additional information can be found at the Board’s homepage:https://ijc.org/en/lsbc or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalLakeSuperiorBoardOfControl