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Weekly Forecast

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WEEKLY GREAT LAKES WATER LEVEL UPDATE

Mar 15, 2024

 

       

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Over the last week, temperatures across the Great Lakes basin have been unseasonably warm with most areas experiencing temperatures 9-12° F above normal. On Monday and Tuesday many locations encountered daily highs near 70° F providing a peek at spring weather. Wet weather followed high temperatures this week with much of the region experiencing precipitation on Friday and Saturday. Lake Superior received the least precipitation at two-tenths of an inch while the remainder of the Great Lakes basin received up to an inch and a half. Heading into the weekend, temperatures are expected to drop to seasonal averages across the Great Lakes basin. Central and eastern regions have the possibility of rainfall on Saturday and Sunday while northwestern areas may experience mixed precipitation.

LAKE LEVEL CONDITIONS

The projected March 15th water levels for Lakes St. Clair and Ontario are one inch above February levels while Lakes Erie and Superior are one and two inches below, respectively, and Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to remain near its previous level. Forecasted water levels for March 15th are below levels of a year ago at this time on all lakes. The largest difference from a year ago is Lake Superior which is currently eight inches below. When compared to the long-term average, Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are above and Superior is predicted to be below. The largest of these differences are on St. Clair and Erie which are eleven and twelve inches above their long-term average. Looking ahead to April, Lakes Michigan-Huron and St. Clair are forecast to rise two inches while Erie is predicted to rise by three inches. Lake Ontario is projected to see the largest change with a rise of five inches while Superior is forecast to remain at the same level. See our Daily Levels web page for more water level information.

FORECASTED MONTHLY OUTFLOWS/CHANNEL CONDITIONS

Lake Superior’s outflow into the St. Marys River is expected to be near average for March. Lake Michigan-Huron outflow through the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair’s outflow into the Detroit River are projected to be above average for March. Lake Erie outflow through the Niagara River, and Lake Ontario outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in March.

ALERTS

Water levels shown are still-water surface elevations over the entire lake surface. Water levels at specific locations may differ due to meteorological influences. Official records are based on monthly average water levels and not daily water levels. Great Lakes, connecting channels, and St. Lawrence River users should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities affected by changing water levels. Mariners should use navigation charts and refer to current water level readings. Find ice information at National Ice Center’s website.

SUPERIOR

MICH-HURON

ST. CLAIR

ERIE

ONTARIO

Forecasted Water Level for Mar 15, 2024 (feet)

601.08

578.74

574.87

572.21

245.18

Chart Datum (feet)

601.10

577.50

572.30

569.20

243.30

Difference from chart datum (inches)

0

+15

+31

+36

+23

Difference from average water level for Feb 15, 2024 (inches*)

-2

0

+1

-1

+1

Difference from average water level for Mar 15, 2023 (inches*)

-8

-1

-2

-5

-5

 

Difference from long-term monthly average of Mar (inches)

-1

+3

+11

+12

+2

Difference from highest monthly average of record for Mar (inches)

-16

-32

-24

-21

-25

Year of highest recorded monthly mean

1986

2020

2020

2020

1952

Difference from lowest monthly average of record for Mar (inches)

+19

+32

+46

+48

+31

Year of lowest recorded monthly mean

1926

1964

1934

1934

1935

 

Projected net change in levels by Apr 15, 2024 (inches)

0

+2

+2

+3

+5

ALL DATA SHOWN IN THIS SUMMARY ARE REFERENCED TO IGLD 1985

*VALUES FOR SPECIFIC DAY ARE BASED ON 3-DAY DAILY AVERAGE AROUND SPECIFIED DATE

LONG TERM AVERAGE PERIOD OF RECORD, 1918-2023

FORECASTED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY

RECORDED DATA (1918 – present)

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

Department of the Army

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Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels

We do not have the ability to offer email updates at this time.  The Weekly Forecast of Great Lakes Water Levels is updated each week and will be posted by close of business on Friday.

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Detroit District Disclaimer

NOTICE: All data contained herein is preliminary in nature and therefore subject to change. The data is for general information purposes ONLY and SHALL NOT be used in technical applications such as, but not limited to, studies or designs. All critical data should be obtained from and verified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Engineering and Construction Division, Hydraulics and Hydrology Branch, 477 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226. The United States of America assumes no liability for the completeness or accuracy of the data contained herein and any use of such data inconsistent with this disclaimer shall be solely at the risk of the user.