Lake Level Report: Beginning of September 2014

Lake Superior was 6 inches above long-term average in August, its sixth consecutive month of high water.

From the International Lake Superior Board of Control and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [PDF]:

Lake Superior’s monthly mean level rose slightly in August, from 602.56 ft in July to 602.59 ft. The monthly mean level was 9 inches above its level of a year ago, 18 inches above chart datum, and 6 inches above its long‐term average (LTA). This is the sixth straight month that Lake Superior is higher than its LTA after a 15 consecutive year stretch of being below its LTA. The Lake Superior basin experienced below average precipitation in August, but has received average precipitation over the past 12 months. The Superior level is projected to be 7 to 18 inches above chart datum over the next 6 months. Also, the lake is expected to be 3 to 7 inches above its level of a year ago over the next 6 months, and be 2 to 6 inches above LTA through February.

Lakes Erie and Ontario were 5 inches and 3 inches above long-term average, respectively. Lakes Michigan and Huron rose an inch and finished August with a monthly mean of 3 inches below normal. The Corps predicts that Michigan-Huron, measured as one, will reach its average level next month.