Great Lakes Water Levels

Comment by: Kim Smith on Feb 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 5.5'

Be mindful of dockboard heights. With the high water last year we found the tops of dock boards to be below our gunnel. We did quite a bit of superficial damage as a result--$3,000+. Even marinas with floating docks were a problem. Make sure you have very big fenders ready in case you need them.

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Comment by: Marc Southard on Oct 16, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.0'

Another bright side is that Detroit Harbor on Washington Island was accessible by sail this season.

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Comment by: Paul Mullings on Sep 14, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Lake Ontario very low summer 2020 channels silt in over 4 foot draft, sailboats be careful, they never get levels correct, guess they dont have boats or they would be able to do a better job

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Comment by: brad on May 8, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

These numbers are the low water datums.... any insights into how much higher these numbers are in comparison to say the last 10 year avg?

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Two resources:<br /> NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab - https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/wlevels/<br /> USACE Detroit District: https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/

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Comment by: Pat on May 4, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 22'
Draft: 1.5'

Regarding water levels of the Great Lakes, the desert southwest would gladly have it pipelined their way.

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Comment by: Jim Schwier on Apr 17, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 1.5'

Lake Superior outflows is administered by the International Lake Superior Board of Control not ACOE (see link provided in R.A. Campbell response) Their mission is to manage Lake Superior to no more than water level datum of 602' Being the Superior LWD is 601.1 and today's report indicates +16 it is evident that current water level 601.1+1.3 exceeds the Lake Superior level management by 0.4' or just under 5". Downstream lakes, waterways are experiencing considerably higher water levels. Adding more water downstream from Superior would not seem to be a good idea.<br /> Looking at a comprehensive way to manage the overall level to suit all the needs/interests, of course would be sensible. Meanwhile, keep your watch person(s) on alert for floating debris and atypical water performance, currents, eddies and sunk/missing nav aides.

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Comment by: Captain Richard A. Campbell, Henry Clay, on Dec 13, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

High water is bad for the marinas and land owners, also the boaters with under water slips. The ACOE needs to find a way to better regulate water levels, for everyone's benefit..

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not regulate Great Lakes water levels. See this link: https://www.in.gov/dnr/water/3660.htm. <br />

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Comment by: Charlie Miller on Aug 16, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 4.0'

With levels so high we need the info to plan our cruising destinations and courses. I've heard some boaters say "Great Waters High. To bad for them good, for the prop repair shops

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