End-of-November 2013 Lake Levels

Lake Superior continued its seasonal decline in November, but thanks to above-average water supplies, the decline was smaller than normal. The Lake is currently two inches below its long-term average.

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

This past month the water supplies to Lake Superior and Lakes Michigan-Huron were above average. As a result, the level of Lake Superior level declined 4 cm (2 inches), slightly less than the average decline of 5 cm (2 inches) in November. Currently, the Lake Superior level is 6 centimeters (cm) (2 inches) below its long-term average beginning-of-December level, and 32 cm (13 inches) above the level recorded a year ago. It is 18 cm (7 inches) above its chart datum level. The level of Lake Superior is expected to continue its seasonal decline in December.

Lake Superior continues its 14 year stretch of below LTA water levels, the longest in its period of record dating back to 1918. Precipitation on the Lake Superior basin was 94% of average in November, and 105% of average during the past 12 months. The Superior level is expected to be 2 to 5 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 7 to 11 inches above last year’s levels and 2 to 3 inches below LTA over the next six months.