U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Level Report: Beginning of August 2014
Lake Superior was 6 inches above long-term average as August began, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported this week.
Lake levels top long-term average for fifth straight month
Lake Superior rose 2 inches in July and is now 6 inches above long-term average, reports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Lake Superior’s monthly mean level rose 2 inches in July to a level of 602.56 ft, its highest July water level since 1997. The monthly mean level was 11 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 fifth 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 received near average precipitation in July, but has experienced slightly above average precipitation over the past 12 months. The Superior level is expected to be 7 to 18 inches above chart datum over the next 6 months. Also, the lake is predicted to be 4 to 9 inches above its level of a year ago into January, and be 3 to 6 inches above LTA over the next 6 months.
+ Lakes Michigan and Huron, meanwhile, are up 15 inches since last July but remain 4 inches below long-term average. Linked to Lake Superior by the St. Marys River, those lakes' recoveries will continue to be aided this year by the Big Lake's high water, says MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa.
Bayfield Apple Festival up for an award
The Bayfield Apple Festival has been nominated for a USA Today Readers' Choice Award. Voting for Best Specialty Food Festival ends on September 1.
LSM readers chose the Apple Festival as the top annual Wisconsin event in our Best of the Lake Awards this year.
+ Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the majestic Tahquamenon Falls were mentioned this week on "Live with Kelly and Michael." (We may have to send them a pronunciation guide, though, for future Big Lake references.)
+ In his Photos of the Week, Paul Sundberg takes us to the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
+ John Myers, Duluth News Tribune: "Lake Erie's toxic algae woes unlikely to happen on Lake Superior."
+ Reviews of our latest book title, The Old Rittenhouse Inn Cookbook, from the Ashland Daily Press and Bayfield Today.