Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron above the seasonal long-term average
will decline through the the winter months.
THUNDER BAY, SAULT STE MARIE, ONTARIO DULUTH, MINNESOTA ~~~~ January 5, 2023 (LSNews) nglers and other users of the St. Marys Rapids, as reported at the beginning of December, please be advised that a higher than customary gate setting will be maintained this winter to minimize the impacts of ongoing maintenance at the Canadian hydropower facility. The gates of the Compensating Works at the head of the St. Marys Rapids will be maintained at an equivalent of two gates fully open (Gates #6 through #16 partially open 26 cm (10 in) each) in January. A setting equivalent to one-half gate open (Gates #7 through #10 open 20 cm (8 in) each) is typically used during the winter months. A setting of two gates fully open is the maximum allowable winter gate setting under Regulation Plan 2012 to prevent premature ice cover breakup which could result in increased ice jams and flood risk.
The International Lake Superior Board of Control (Board) anticipates that the total St. Marys River flow will be 2,050 m3/s (72.4 tcfs) in January, which is 360 m3/s (12.7 tcfs) less than the flow prescribed by Regulation Plan 2012. When compared to plan flow, the expected January flow deficit is equivalent to approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) added to the water level of Lake Superior and approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) removed from Lake Michigan-Huron.
Water level changes over the month of December
- Lake Superior declined by 8 cm (3.1 in) last month, which is equivalent to the seasonal long-term average decline in December.
- Lake Michigan-Huron declined by 7 cm (2.8 in) last month, while the seasonal long-term average decline in December is 5 cm (2.0 in).
Water levels as of the beginning of January
- At the beginning January, the lake-wide water level of Lake Superior is 17 cm (6.7 in) above the seasonal long-term average (1918-2021) and 24 cm (9.4 in) above the level of a year ago.
- At the beginning of January, the lake-wide level of Lake Michigan-Huron is 10 cm (3.9 in) above average and 23 cm (9.1 in) below the level of a year ago.
Outlook
- Under most potential water supply scenarios, lake-wide average water levels of both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are expected to continue to decline through the winter months.
- Depending on the weather and water supply conditions during the next month, Lake Superior may decline by as much as 12 cm (4.7 in) in January.
- Depending on the weather and water supply conditions, Lake Michigan-Huron may decline by as much as 7 cm (2.8 in) next month, or it may rise by as much as 4 cm (1.6 in).
The International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for managing the control works on the St. Marys River and regulating the outflow from Lake Superior into Lake Michigan-Huron. Under any outflow regulation plan, the ability to regulate the flow through the St. Marys River does not mean that full control of the water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron is possible. This is because the major factors affecting water supply to the Great Lakes (i.e. 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.
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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 |