(WWJ) New high water level records were set on the Great Lakes last month and in metro Detroit, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers saying Lakes Huron, Erie and Michigan -- along with Lake St. Clair -- reached new heights for the month of May.
Preliminary estimates show lake levels on Lakes Huron and Michigan were up four inches, while Lakes Erie and St. Clair were up one inch. All of the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair rose from April to May.
Continuing at the forecast pace, the water mark by mid-summer could be the highest it's been since records began 102 years ago. High water levels create safety hazards, such as submerged breakwaters, rip currents and electric shock risks when docks get submerged. See detailed water level graphs HERE.
Precipitation-wise, it was a dry May for Lakes Superior and Ontario, while Lakes Michigan-Huron and Erie received above average precipitation. Although water supply was below average for two of the Great Lakes, outflows remained significantly above average in May due to the high water level conditions. According to preliminary estimates, outflows through the St. Clair River, Detroit River, and the Niagara River were above record-highs for the month of May.
Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie set new record high monthly mean water levels for the month of May. Lakes St. Clair and Erie surpassed their May record-highs that were set just last year.
For the month of May, as for April, new record high monthly mean water levels were set on Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie. These levels surpassed their previous records by 4, 4, and 1 inches, respectively, which were set in 1986 on Lake Michigan-Huron, and last year on Lakes St. Clair and Erie. Lake Superior rose an inch from April to May, while Lakes Michigan-Huron and St. Clair both rose 3 inches. Lakes Erie and Ontario also climbed 1 and 2 inches, respectively, from April to May.
Worried about your dock, backyard or basement? Check out the latest 6-month forecast to see the projected water levels for the summer and fall HERE.
