A new record low water level for Lake Michigan-Huron has been set for the second consecutive month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is announcing.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Corps’ Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District, the new record low of 175.57 meters or 576.02 feet is not only the lowest January monthly average water level ever recorded, but also the lowest monthly average ever recorded for any month over the official period of record for Great Lakes water levels, extending back to 1918.

The Corps issues water level forecasts for the Great Lakes in coordination with Environment Canada, and through the use of water level data and forecasting models developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and National Ocean Service.

“The Corps’ latest forecasts indicate a strong likelihood for continued record lows on Lake Michigan-Huron over the next several months,” the statement said. “Water levels on the remaining Great Lakes are expected to remain below their respective long-term average water levels, but above record lows.”

“Not only have water levels on Michigan-Huron broken records the past two months, but they have been very near record lows for the last several months before then,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office. “Lake Michigan-Huron’s water levels have also been below average for the past 14 years, which is the longest period of sustained below average levels since 1918 for that lake.”

The current record low water levels on Lake Michigan-Huron are the result of lower than average snowfall during the winter of 2011-12, coupled with the very hot and dry summer. Together these conditions led to only a four-inch seasonal rise of Lake Michigan-Huron in 2012, compared to an average rise of 12 inches, the statement said. In addition, evaporation was significantly above average during the summer and fall months and contributed to a very rapid seasonal decline.

“Above average precipitation and snow cover coupled with below average evaporation this winter are needed to raise Lake Michigan-Huron water levels above record lows,” the statement concluded. “However, it would take similar conditions over many seasons for levels to rise to near average levels.”

The Corps will continue to monitor basin conditions and will provide updated information at http://www.lre.usace.army.mil

Posted 2/6/2013