Water Levels and Flows
The International Lake Superior Board of Control met on 12 March 2020 in the conference room at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. Stephen Durrett, US Chair, chaired and convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
The International Lake Superior Board of Control met on 07 March 2019 in the Empire conference room at the Marriott Downtown Syracuse at 100 East Onondaga Street in Syracuse, New York. Mr. Stephen Durrett, US Chair, chaired and convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
Communities big and small along the Great Lakes have faced numerous challenges posed by extremely high lake levels over the past several years. These conditions caused significant hardship for many whose livelihoods depend on the lakes.
Large fluctuations in water levels are part of the Great Lakes’ natural cycle. Levels have been historically high in recent years but were extremely low less than a decade ago.
Northern pike are among the top predators in the Great Lakes and a prized sport fish. They are even known to happily eat invasive common carp, potentially providing an ecological control in great enough numbers.
Lake Superior generally remained stable over the course of the month, which is typical for this time of year. Lake Michigan-Huron declined 4 cm (1.6 in) over the course of the month, which is the average water level decline in August.
The Board will temporarily decrease outflows over the second weekend of October to raise Lake St. Lawrence levels significantly and provide a brief, final opportunity for residents of Lake St. Lawrence to remove their boats and other equipment prior to winter.
Video of July 2020 Tri-Board Webinar on Great Lakes Water Levels and Answers to Additional Questions
A public Great Lakes water levels webinar hosted by the International Joint Commission's Lake Superior Board of Control, Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board and Niagara Board of Control was held July 17.