Phil Bencomo / Lake Superior Magazine
Stoney Point, Minnesota: September 1, 2014
Lake Superior rose nearly an inch in September, a month during which the Big Lake usually declines by half an inch, and finished the month 7 inches above long-term average. That makes eight consecutive months of high water for Lake Superior and the highest September level since 1996.
Lakes Michigan-Huron, meanwhile, completed a dramatic climb back to average levels. Those lakes, measured as one, are now half an inch above long-term average. They'd been lower than normal since 1998.
All five Great Lakes are now above their long-term average levels.
Here's the news release from the International Lake Superior Board of Control and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
The monthly mean water level of Lake Superior in September was 183.70 m (602.69 ft). This is 17 cm (7 in) above the long-term (1918-2013) September average and the highest September level since 1996.
For the eighth consecutive month, the net water supplies to Lake Superior were again above average in September. The level of Lake Superior rose 2 cm (0.8 in) last month, while on average the lake declines 1 cm (0.4 in) in September. The Lake Superior level at the beginning-of-October was 18 cm (7 in) above average, and 24 cm (9 in) above the level recorded a year ago at this time, and 50 cm (20 in) above its chart datum level.
The monthly mean water level of Lake Michigan-Huron in September was 176.51 m (579.10 ft). This is 1 cm (0.04 in) above the long-term (1918-2013) September average, the highest September level since 1998, and the first month that monthly mean levels have been above average since December 1998.
As was the case in August, the net water supplies to Lake Michigan-Huron were well above average in September. The level of Lake Michigan-Huron rose 2 cm (1 in) this past month, while on average the lake declines by 6 cm (2 in) in September. The level of Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 cm (2 in) above its long-term average beginning-of- September level, 50 cm (20 in) higher than it was a year ago, and 52 cm (20 in) above its chart datum level.
The levels of both Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are expected to begin their seasonal decline in October.