According to the International Lake Superior Board of Control, while Lake Superior water levels are in decline, they are still 10 inches above the December long term average.
Still, the big lake is lower than it was last year at this time. That said, a big storm could still kick up waves large enough to cause erosion and threaten buildings built near the shoreline.
In a news release, the International Lake Superior Board of Control warns “all those that may be affected to prepare for potentially severe coastal impacts, especially during periods of strong winds and high waves.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predict Lake Superior will lose two to three inches over the rest of this month. Meanwhile the Board of Control is predicting a bigger decrease in the lake level, from two to six inches, depending upon the amount of precipitation that falls into the Superior basin.
At its current level of 602.69 feet, Lake Superior is below the record high set in 1985 of 603.25 feet. The lake’s long-term average for December is 601.87 feet. The difference between the current level and the longterm average for December is 0.82 feet or 9.84 inches higher than the average.
Established by an international joint commission in 1914, the International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for regulating the outflow of Lake Superior and managing the control works at St. Mary’s River.
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