Eight inches

Lake Superior is currently 21 centimetres (8 inches) below its long-term average for this time of year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports today.

That's essentially the same level recorded last year at the beginning of February.

The lake is also 10 centimetres (4 inches) under its chart datum level. That's the lowest level caused by astronomical effects, excluding effects of weather.

The following is a Corps news release issued today:

***************************** Lake Superior outflow conditions

The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under the authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission, has set the Lake Superior outflow to 1,740 cubic meters per second (m3/s) (61.4 thousand cubic feet per second (tcfs)) for the month of February.

This is the outflow recommended by the regulation plan for the month of February and is an increase from the January outflow of 1,680 m3/s (59.3 tcfs).

The February outflow will be released by discharging about 1,642 m3/s (58.0 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 will be maintained at the existing setting equivalent to one-half gate open (four gates open 25 cm, or about 10 inches each).

There will be no change to the setting of Gate #1 that supplies the Fishery Remedial Works.

The January water supply for Lake Superior was above average while the supply for Lakes Michigan-Huron was below average for the month.

Currently, the Lake Superior level is about 21 cm (8 inches) below its long-term average beginning of February level and is at the same level as recorded a year ago.

This past month the level of Lake Superior declined by 6 cm (2 inches), 1 cm (1/2 inch) less than the usual amount for January.

The level of Lake Superior is now 10 cm (4 inches) below its chart datum level.

The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron declined by 4 cm (2 inches) this past month, 1 cm (1/2 inch) more than the normal decline for January.

The level of Lakes Michigan-Huron is about 46 cm (18 inches) below its long-term average beginning of February level, and is now 8 cm (3 inches) higher than a year ago.

Lakes Michigan-Huron's level is now 14 cm (6 inches) below its chart datum level.

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

Brigadier General (P) Steven R. Hawkins, Commander, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is the United States Board Member.

Mr. Carr McLeod is the Board Member for Canada.

The Internet homepage at http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/glhh provides access to additional information.

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