Water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have been trending down for the past year or so. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers physical scientist Deanna Fielder tells us the lakes are normalizing after the highs they saw in 2020.
“For January of 2023, the Lake Michigan-Huron monthly mean water level was about six inches below last year, and we’re about five inches above average,” Fielder said.
Fielder says less precipitation has led to the decrease. She says as weather fluctuates, lakeshore property owners and communities just need to be diligent and watch the latest lake trends.
“The message that we’re trying to get across is being able to adapt to both these high and low water levels. How water levels change over time is directly related to the weather and hydrological conditions we receive in the Great Lakes basin.”
At their peak in 2020, Lakes Michigan and Huron were at 582 feet. Right now, they’re at 578 feet. The all-time record high for Lake Michigan was set in 1986. Heading into the spring, Fielder says the levels are expected to rise as usual as we are around the seasonal low at this time.
