Skip to content

Lake Superior levels below average but up from last year

NEWS RELEASE INTERNATIONAL LAKE SUPERIOR BOARD OF CONTROL *************************** Update on Lake Superior outflow The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission, has set the L

NEWS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL
LAKE SUPERIOR
BOARD OF CONTROL

***************************
Update on Lake Superior outflow

The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission, has set the Lake Superior outflow to 2,260 cubic meters per second (m 3/s) (79.8 thousand cubic feet per second (tcfs)) for the month of November, effective November 4, 2013.

The outflow is as prescribed by Plan 1977-A and is 510 m 3/s (18.0 tcfs) less than the October outflow.

The November outflow will be released by discharging approximately 2,162 m 3/s (76.4 tcfs) through the three hydropower plants and passing most of the remaining flow through the control structure at the head of the St. Marys Rapids.

The gate setting of the control structure for the month of November will be decreased to the equivalent of one-half gate open (four gates open 20 centimetres (cm) each), effective November 4.

As a result, the flow and water levels in the St. Marys Rapids are expected to decrease.

Anglers need to remain cautious and be aware of changing flows and water levels, and the return to lower flows and levels in the rapids during November.

There will be no change to the setting of Gate #1 which supplies water to the channel north of the Fishery Remedial Dike.

This past month, the water supplies to Lake Superior and Lakes Michigan-Huron were above average.

Currently, the Lake Superior level is about 7 centimetres (cm) (3 inches) below its long-term average beginning-of-November level, and 28 cm (11 inches) above the level recorded a year ago.

It is 22 cm (9 inches) above its chart datum level.

This past month the level of Lake Superior declined 4 cm (2 inches), slightly more than the average decline of 3 cm (1 inch) in October.

The level of Lake Superior is expected to continue its seasonal decline in November.

The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron also declined 4 cm (2 inches) this past month, which is less than the average decline of 7 cm (3 inches) for October.

The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron is 41 cm (16 inches) below its long-term average beginning-of-November level, and is 28 cm (11 inches) higher than it was a year ago.

Lakes Michigan-Huron is now 2 cm (1 inch) below its chart datum level.

The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron is expected to continue its seasonal decline through November.

The Board continues to monitor conditions both on Lake Superior and downstream, and will advise the International Joint Commission accordingly on those conditions.

BG Margaret Burcham is the United States Board member.

Mr. Jaymie Gadal is the Board member for Canada.

***************************


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.