End-of-October 2013 Lake Levels

The level of Lake Superior dropped one inch in October, matching the month's typical decline, and remains two inches below its long-term average. The Lake is now a whopping 13 inches higher than at this time last year.

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

The monthly mean water level of Lake Superior in October was 601.87 feet, which is a 1 inch decline from September’s level. The 1 inch drop matches the typical change for Superior from September to October. The October level was 13 inches above its level of a year ago, 9 inches above chart datum, and 2 inches below long‐term average (LTA). Lake Superior continues its 14 year stretch of below LTA water levels, the longest period of below average levels in its recorded history dating back to 1918. Precipitation on the Lake Superior basin was 110% of average in October, and 103% of average during the past 12 months.

The Superior level is expected to be 2 to 7 inches above chart datum through January and then remain 1 to 2 inches below datum through April 2014. The water levels are forecasted to be 10 to 12 inches above last year’s levels and 2 to 3 inches below LTA over the next six months.