News Releases

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,280 m3/s (80.5 tcfs) in June, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. Lake Superior outflows are set in consideration of the above-average levels upstream and downstream.

While Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels remain above their respective long-term averages, the risk of shoreline erosion, lakeshore flooding, and coastal damages remains.

While Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels remain above average, the risk of high-water impacts remains. Lake Superior outflows continue to be set in consideration of high levels upstream and downstream. Last month, Lake Superior declined 2 cm (0.8 in), while on average it declines 1...

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,040 m3/s (72 tcfs) in March, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be maintained at the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open in March.

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,050 m3/s (72 tcfs) in February, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be maintained at the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open in February.

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,170 m3/s (77 tcfs) in January, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be maintained at the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open in January.

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels continue to decline, but are still well above average and the risk of high-water impacts remains. Lake Superior outflows continue to be set in consideration of high levels upstream and downstream. Last month, Lake Superior declined 3 cm (1.2 in)...

The Board expects the total outflow to be 2,420 m3/s (85.5 tcfs) in November, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting of the control structure will be gradually lowered to the typical winter setting equivalent to one-half gate open on Friday, 6 November and...

The lakes are expected to continue their seasonal declines through the fall. However, water levels are expected to remain near seasonal highs and there will continue to be a significantly increased risk of shoreline erosion, lakeshore flooding and coastal damages.

Anglers and other users of the St. Marys Rapids are advised that Gate #1, which is the northernmost gate of the compensating works structure, located closest to the Canadian shoreline at the head of the rapids, will be temporarily closed tomorrow, 9 September, to facilitate underwater safety...

Lake Superior generally remained stable over the course of the month, which is typical for this time of year. Lake Michigan-Huron declined 4 cm (1.6 in) over the course of the month, which is the average water level decline in August. At the beginning of September, Lake Superior is 6 cm (2.4 in)...

A public Great Lakes water levels webinar hosted by the International Joint Commission's Lake Superior Board of Control, Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board and Niagara Board of Control was held July 17. This webinar provided an overview of why the Great Lakes were at their current levels and how...

Basin conditions were generally wetter than average in July. As a result, water levels rose on Lake Superior and remained stable on Lake Michigan-Huron. Lake Superior rose 7 cm over the course of the month, while on average the water level rises 5 cm in July. At the beginning of August, Lake...

Basin conditions were generally near average or drier than average in June, around both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron. As a result, water levels did not rise as much as they typically do in June. Nonetheless, water levels are expected to remain high over at least the next few months and...

While conditions around Lake Superior were drier than average in May, conditions were again wetter than average on Lake Michigan-Huron, driven by a couple of significant rainfall events in the middle and at the end of the month. This has resulted in additional record-high water levels, which pose a...

Conditions across the Great Lakes were generally drier this past month and the water levels of both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron rose less than they typically do in April. Nonetheless, an exceptional volume of water remains in the system. Water levels are expected to remain high over at...

Wet conditions returned to the Great Lakes this past month and the water levels of both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron rose slightly more than they typically do in March. An exceptional volume of water remains in the system and all of the Great Lakes remain near or above record-high water...

Conditions across the Great Lakes were drier this past month and the water levels of both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron declined more than they typically do in February. Nonetheless, an exceptional volume of water remains in the system and all of the Great Lakes remain near or above record...

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron water levels are above record-highs for this time of year as wet conditions persisted across the upper Great Lakes basin in January. With all of the Great Lakes near or above record-highs for this time of year, there is an exceptional volume of water in the...

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain near record-highs for this time of year, and although they are expected to continue their seasonal declines in January, levels are expected to remain high over the next several months and may again exceed record-highs if wet conditions continue in 2020.

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain near record-highs for this time of year, but are expected to continue their seasonal declines in December. As a result, there will continue to be a significantly increased risk of shoreline erosion, lakeshore flooding and coastal damages over the next...

The Board expects the total outflow from Lake Superior to be 2,820 m3/s in November, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting will be lowered in stages beginning in late November to allow for a gradual reduction in St. Marys Rapids flows and water levels prior...

An on-line questionnaire has been developed that allows impacted shoreline property owners to report directly on their experiences in 2019 (https://ijc.org/en/glam/watershed/questionnaire/high-water-levels-2019).

The International Lake Superior Board of Control (Board) expects the total outflow from Lake Superior to be 2,840 m3/s in September, which is as prescribed by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 2012. The gate setting at the Compensating Works will be maintained at the equivalent of nine gates fully open.

Water levels across the Great Lakes system remain near or above record-highs for this time of year. Lake Superior is expected to remain relatively stable in August and Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to begin its seasonal decline.

Wet conditions continued across the Lake Michigan-Huron basin in June and resulted in water levels rising to record highs by the end of the month. Conditions were relatively drier in the Lake Superior basin, but Lake Superior remains above record high water levels for this time of year.

Wet conditions continued across the upper Great Lakes basin in May. Lake Superior has exceeded record high water levels for this time of year and water levels of Lake Michigan-Huron are also now approaching record high values.

Water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average, and Lake Superior has the potential to reach or exceed record highs in May should wet conditions continue.

The above-average levels coupled with strong winds and waves continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across the upper Great Lakes system.

Very wet conditions continued across the upper Great Lakes basin in February, and water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average.

Generally wet conditions persisted across the upper Great Lakes basin in January, and water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average.

December, like October and November, saw wet conditions across the upper Great Lakes basin, and water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average.

Following extremely wet conditions in October and relatively wet conditions in November, water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average. The above-average levels coupled with strong winds and waves continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across...

The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission (IJC), advises that the gate setting of the control structure at the head of the St. Marys Rapids will be reduced prior to winter, beginning next week. The gate setting will be...

Extremely wet weather and a significant rise in Lake Superior levels will result in St. Marys River outflows being increased in November. An exceptional amount of precipitation fell in the Lake Superior basin from 8-11 October, causing a rapid and significant rise in Lake Superior water levels. Lake...

During a relatively wet September, Lake Superior rose 4 cm while on average Lake Superior begins its seasonal decline in September. Conditions were closer to average downstream and Lake Michigan-Huron declined 6 cm in September. At the beginning of October, Lake Superior is 17 cm above average (1918...

At the beginning of September, Lake Superior is 14 cm above average (1918 – 2017), but 11 cm below the level at this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 43 cm above average, and at the same level as last year’s beginning-of-September level.

The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission (IJC), advises that the gate setting at the head of the St. Marys Rapids will be adjusted this week. Anglers and other users of the St. Marys Rapids need to be cautious of the...

At the beginning of August, Lake Superior is 13 cm above average (1918 – 2017), but 9 cm below the level at this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 39 cm above average, but 4 cm below last year’s beginning-of-August level.

The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission (IJC), advises that the gate setting at the head of the St. Marys Rapids will be adjusted on Monday, 23 July 2018. A construction project to automate Gates #11-14 is scheduled to...

Conditions in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins were near average last month and the seasonal water level rise continued on both lakes. At the beginning of July, Lake Superior is 11 cm above average (1918 – 2017), but 14 cm below the level at this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron...

Lake Superior began its seasonal rise in May, but rose just 5 cm as dry conditions persisted in the basin for a third straight month. Conditions were wetter downstream, and Lake Michigan-Huron rose 11 cm last month. At the beginning of June, Lake Superior is 10 cm above average (1918 – 2017), but 12...

Lake Superior continued its rapid decline in April as continuing high outflows combined with a second straight month of dry conditions in the basin, while more seasonable conditions returned to the Lake Michigan-Huron basin and its seasonal spring rise resumed. The Lake Superior water level declined...

Conditions were dry in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins and while the water levels of both lakes declined in March, levels remain well above average. The monthly mean level of Lake Superior in March was 183.54 m, the 2nd highest on record (1918 - present) and 7 cm below the record...

Wet conditions returned to the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins in February and water levels remain well above average. The monthly mean level of Lake Superior in February was 183.58 m, the 2nd highest on record (1918 - present) and just 5 cm below the record-high set in February 1986...

More seasonable conditions returned to the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins in January. Nonetheless, both lakes continue to see the effects of a wet spring and summer, and water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average as a result.The monthly mean level...

Cold and snowy weather contributed to above-normal water supplies in the Lake Superior basin in December, while relatively drier conditions occurred in the Lake Michigan-Huron basin last month. Nonetheless, both lakes continue to see the effects of a wet spring and summer, and water levels of Lake...

Following wet conditions in October, drier and more seasonable conditions returned in November. Nonetheless, water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron remain well above average. The monthly mean level of Lake Superior in November was 183.78 m, the 3rd highest on record (1918 - present)...

Several months of generally wet weather has caused Lake Superior water levels to approach historical highs. The monthly mean level of Lake Superior in October was 183.81 m, the 4th highest on record (1918 - present) and the highest since October 1985. Water levels of Lake Michigan-Huron are also...

The International Lake Superior Board of Control, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission (IJC), has set the Lake Superior outflow to 3,130 cubic metres per second (m3/s) for the month of October, effective October 3rd. The October outflow is as prescribed by Regulation...