Lake Superior Water Levels & Next Meeting on Tuesday, September 20

Hi,

Hope to see you on Tues., Sept. 20 at Lafayette for our next regular meeting. A City Planning representative  will be speaking on the Duluth Comprehensive Plan.

6:30pm social followed by the meeting at 7pm, Tuesday, September 20

Thanks to neighbor Jeff Stuermer for checking out the details on the lake level. Neighbors were talking about lake levels at our August meeting and Jeff sent me this:

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Mr. Stuermer,

Thank you for contacting the International Lake Superior Board of Control with your inquiry regarding water levels on Lake Superior.  As you may know, the Board regulates the release of water from Lake Superior through the various structures located on the St. Marys River.  The allocation of flow to these facilities is determined monthly, based on the outflow specified by the regulation plan, and the conditions listed in the Orders of Approval.  More information can be found our website at http://ijc.org/en_/ilsbc/International_Lake_Superior_Board_of_Control  or on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InternationalLakeSuperiorBoardOfControl

Home – International Lake Superior Board of Control ijc.org The International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for regulating the outflow of Lake Superior and managing the control works on the St. Marys River.

Though the Board has recently implemented Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012, which aims to provide modest benefits for commercial navigation, hydroelectric generation, and coastal zone interests, the ability to regulate the outflow from Lake Superior does not mean that full control of the lake level is possible, let alone a mandate of the Plan.  Major factors affecting the water supply to the lake include: precipitation over the lake, evaporation, and runoff within the basin.  Collectively these hydrologic factors are the primary drivers that affect lake levels, and are difficult to predict over time.  The monthly mean water level of Lake Superior this past August was 15 cm (6 in) above the long-term average for this time of year, and is the highest August level since 1997 due to above-average water supplies.  The level of Lake Superior is expected to continue its seasonal decline this month.

Water levels on both Lake Superior and Michigan-Huron typically vary considerably from year-to-year depending on the weather conditions. The Board urges everyone to be prepared to live within the full range of levels that have occurred.  Although the Board strives to maintain the range of monthly mean levels of Lake Superior below the upper limit of 603.22 ft (183.86 m) and above the lower limit  of 599.61 ft (182.76 m) specified in the 1914 Orders of Approval, actual monthly levels have ranged from a high of 603.30  ft (183.88 m) to a low of 599.48 ft (182.72 m) due to climate conditions outside the design range.  Furthermore, excessive wind set up and wave action may significantly increase or decrease local levels on both of the lakes.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Respectfully,

Arun Heer, P.E., CFM
International Lake Superior Board of Control Secretary, US Section
513-684-6202

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Park Point August Photos while out and about on Superior Bay

Ducky comes to town and hangs with the tugs

Moon over the Duluth Rowing Club