What Are the Great Lakes Water Levels in May as They Rise Seasonally?

The The water levels in the Great Lakes are currently undergoing their typical seasonal increase. heading into the summer months.

The US Army Corps of Engineers forecasts that the water levels in the Great Lakes will keep increasing and are expected to reach their highest point sometime between July and August.

Here, you can view the water levels from last month, the present month, as well as predictions for each of the Great Lakes.

Lake Erie water levels

In April, Lake Erie experienced a lowest water level of 174.22 meters and peaked at 174.39 meters. These measurements are close to the long-term average level of 174.26 meters.

These levels aligned with historical norms, where the historic minimum was recorded at 173.38 meters in 1926 and the historic maximum stood at 175.05 meters in 2020.

By the end of May, Lake Erie experienced a lowest level of 174.38 meters and a highest level of 174.49 meters. These measurements are close to the historical average for May, which stands at 174.44 meters.

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Throughout history, during the month of May, Lake Erie has experienced a lowest recorded level of 173.44 meters in 1934 and reached a highest record of 175.08 meters in 2020.

During the coming summer months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates that Lake Erie will hit its highest point in May before experiencing a typical drop-off through the summer season. For the six-month outlook, the lake's water levels are expected to stand between 9 and 11 inches lower than those from the previous year, around 27 to 34 inches beneath the all-time high marks, yet still about 31 to 38 inches higher compared to historical lows.

The water levels are predicted to be 1 to 2 inches higher than those of last year in May and June, followed by being nearly equal to last year’s levels, with a difference of less than an inch, from July through October.

Lake Superior water levels

In April, Lake Superior experienced a low water level of 183.07 meters and reached up to 183.24 meters at its highest point that month. Both these measurements fall short of the historical average for April, which stands at 183.27 meters.

In previous years during April, Lake Superior’s water levels have fluctuated between a recorded low of 182.72 meters in 1986 and a peak of 183.68 meters in 1926.

As May comes to an end, Lake Superior’s water levels have fluctuated between a low of 183.24 meters and a high of 183.31 meters this month. This range remains beneath the historical average for May, which stands at 183.37 meters.

In previous years during May, Lake Superior’s lowest level was recorded at 182.76 meters in 1926, whereas its highest was measured at 183.77 meters in 2019.

According to predictions from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Superior is expected to keep rising seasonally until approximately August or September. Between May and August, the lake's water levels are projected to be about 1 to 3 inches lower than they were at this time last year. In September, the levels should be close to those observed last year, and by October, they could be roughly 4 inches higher compared to the previous year.

The water levels of Lake Superior are expected to be about 3 to 4 inches lower than the long-term average, 16 to 19 inches below the all-time highs, but still 13 to 21 inches higher than the lowest recorded levels.

Lake levels for Michigan and Huron

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers groups Lake Michigan and Lake Huron together since they are interconnected. Straits of Mackinac The channel and its union are sufficiently deep to enable their water levels to vary in unison.

In April, both major lakes experienced a minimum level of 176.22 meters and a maximum level of 176.33 meters. These measurements fall short of the historical average for April, which stands at 176.41 meters.

Traditionally, during the month of April, the levels of these two lakes have fluctuated between a recorded low of 175.61 meters back in 1964 and an all-time high of 177.29 meters in 2020.

As May comes to an end, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have experienced their lowest level at 176.33 meters, marking the peak height from April. The maximum they reached this year was 176.40 meters. However, these measurements remain under the historical average for May, which stands at 176.51 meters.

In previous years, both lakes have seen their levels drop as low as 175.74 meters in May 1964 and rise as high as 177.37 meters in May 2020.

In the coming months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates that both lakes will experience a typical upward trend in water levels, reaching their peak in July.

In the coming six months, the water levels of Lake Michigan-Huron are forecasted to stand between 4 and 11 inches lower than those from the previous year, around 5 to 6 inches beneath the long-term average (LTA), approximately 39 to 46 inches under the peak records, yet about 25 to 27 inches higher than the lowest marks ever recorded.

Water levels for Lake Ontario

In April, Lake Ontario experienced a low water level of 74.68 meters and reached a peak of 74.86 meters. Both measurements fell short of the historical average for April, which stands at 74.89 meters.

In previous years during April, Lake Ontario experienced a low of 74.03 meters back in 1935 and reached a peak of 75.65 meters in 1973.

At the end of May, Lake Ontario experienced a minimum level of 74.87 meters and a maximum of 75.06 meters. These measurements are close to the historical average for May, which stands at 75.03 meters.

Traditionally during May, Lake Ontario has seen a low of 74.11 meters in elevation back in 1935 and peaked at 75.80 meters in 2017.

In the upcoming forecasts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates that Lake Ontario will face lower-than-average water volumes. Through September, the lake is expected to remain roughly 2 inches beneath the historical average from May onwards, with this trend continuing up till August. However, starting in August, the lake levels are predicted to rise slightly, reaching between 2 to 3 inches higher than the typical averages.

Taking trash out: A new initiative aimed at reducing litter will assist in purifying the water close to the Erie Water Works storm drain outlet.

The water levels are forecasted to be 20 to 38 inches below the record high levels but 30 to 35 inches above the record low levels.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com .

The article initially appeared in the Erie Times-News. The water levels of the Great Lakes are experiencing their typical increase during this season. Can you tell me what they were in May?