DETROIT -- Media are invited to participate in the discussion about water levels with subject matter experts.
Who: Officials representing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be available via teleconference to update media regarding low water levels of the Great Lakes.
What: Water levels on all the Great Lakes continue to be below average. Record low water levels were set on lakes Michigan and Huron in January. Although current forecasts do not call for record low levels during the next 6 months, water levels are forecasted to remain well below average on lakes Michigan and Huron. Record lows were not reached on the other Great Lakes. The continued low water levels have significantly impacted navigation, along with other stakeholders, on the Great Lakes.
When: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Just after the latest water level report is released.
Where: Via teleconference: (MEDIA only) please call (877) 322-9654 and enter passcode: 385832 to participate. One-hundred lines will be available on a first come-first serve basis. If you are unable to attend or gain access, please contact the Detroit District Public Affairs Office at 888-694-8313 so that we may assess the need to schedule an additional event.
Why: Low lake levels impact commerce, recreation, local and international economies, environmental health, habitat and species preservation, and several other significant areas of interest. It is important that the Great Lakes and international community understand the factors that are affecting lake levels so they may determine how to respond to this announcement.
Background:
The Corps of Engineers in partnership with other federal agencies and Environment Canada monitors and forecasts water levels on the Great Lakes. The official Great Lakes water level forecast shows that water levels on lakes Michigan and Huron have reached historic lows and will remain significantly below average this spring summer. The Corps attributes the low lake levels to below average amount of water available from 2012. Representatives from the Corps will be able to answer questions regarding what has driven water level changes and what impacts can be expected this spring.
Resources:
Detroit District Website: http://www.lre.usace.army.mil
For general information and the two-page summary, please visit The Detroit District, Corps of Engineers homepage; check out the news section scrolling on the top left corner.
Additional information can be found on the “Great Lakes Information” link in the “Mission” drop down menu:
- Here you can view the current water level conditions on the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair as well as some relevant Great Lakes data.
- The suite of Great Lakes forecasts can be found here. The Monthly Bulletin is done once a month and has a 6-month horizon. The Weekly Forecast is performed on Thursdays and updates current Great Lakes conditions. The forecast is for the next 30 days. The Connecting Channels forecast, also produced on Thursdays provides forecasted water depths relative to chart datum in the St. Marys, St. Clair, Detroit, and St. Lawrence Rivers.
- The period of record of Great Lakes water levels can be viewed on this site as well. Search: Historical Great Lakes Water Level Data (1918-2012). The long-term averages as well as the record highs and lows can also be found here.
- Great Lakes precipitation, evaporation and snow and ice information (when applicable) can be found here.
- Links to the International Board of Controls can be found here as well as other assorted Great Lakes information.
- Up to date contact numbers for questions about Great Lakes water levels are here.