Water Levels Continue To Rise In Lakes Michigan, Superior

Federal government scientists say water levels on lakes Superior and Michigan continue to rise, and could remain high for some time.

Drew Gronewald, a hydrologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said there’s been a surge of water over the last two years.

“What we’ve found is that starting in January of 2013, both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan (and) Huron have had net gains in water levels that have either equalled or surpassed any water level gain for the same 23-month period starting in January,” he said.

Gronewald said there’s been more rain and snow in the region and less evaporation.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that over the next few months, water levels on Lake Superior will stay about 10 inches higher than last year. The Corps says the combined lakes of Michigan and Huron will remain at least 15 inches higher. It also says it’s starting to get complaints about more erosion at lake shorelines.