NORTHERN ONTARIO -- Both Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are in their seasonal decline, according to a news release from the International Lake Superior Board of Control.
At the beginning of February, the lake-wide average water level of Lake Superior was two cm (0.8 inches) below the seasonal long-term average (1918-2022) and 21 cm (8.3 inches) below the level of a year ago. At the beginning of February, the lake-wide average water level of Lake Michigan-Huron was 10 cm (3.9 inches) above the seasonal long-term average (1918-2022) and two cm (0.8 in) below the level of a year ago.
If weather and water supply conditions are near average, the lakes should decline in February by approximately five cm (two inches) and one cm (0.4 inches), respectively. If conditions are drier than average then the water level of Lake Superior is expected to decline by as much as nine cm (3.6 inches), and Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to decline by as much as 6 cm (2.4 in).
The Board expects the total St. Marys River flow in February to be 1,920 m³/s (67,800 cfs), as prescribed by Regulation Plan 2012. Actual hour-to-hour and day-to-day flows may vary depending on hydrologic conditions, as well as variations in flow from the hydropower plants.
The gate setting of the Compensating Works at the head of the St. Marys Rapids will be maintained in February at a setting equivalent to approximately one-half gate fully open (Gates No. 7-10 open 20 cm (7.9 in) and Gate No. 1 at its typical setting of 20 cm (7.9 in) open. St. Marys Rapids flow will be approximately 85 m³/s (3,000 cfs) in February.
The MacArthur Lock has been closed and will reopen April 24. The Poe Lock has also been closed for the winter and will reopen on March 25. These closures are routine for winter and allow for maintenance work.
Water supply conditions were slightly below average in the Lake Superior basin and slightly above average in the Michigan-Huron basin in January. Lake Superior declined by eight cm (3.1 inches) last month while the seasonal long-term average pattern is for Lake Superior to decline by seven cm (2.8 inches) in January. Lake Michigan-Huron declined by three cm (1.2 inches) last month, while the seasonal long-term average pattern is for Lake Michigan-Huron to decline by two cm (0.8 inches) in January.
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