Water levels on 4 Great Lakes forecast to remain above last year’s levels
Water levels on Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior and St. Clair are forecast to remain above last year’s levels by way of the boating season after a spring marked by heavy snowmelt and unusually moist circumstances throughout northern Michigan, in accordance to the newest US Army Corps of Engineers overview.
The Corps mentioned Lakes Michigan and Huron rose 10 inches from March to April, reaching 578.58 ft above sea degree — 3 inches above the identical time last 12 months. Officials described April precipitation as “well above average,” with water provides throughout the basin reaching record-high levels.
March blizzard, April rains swell Great Lakes
The elevated water levels comply with the large March blizzard that hit the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan, the place National Weather Service places of work reported snowfall totals exceeding 4 ft in elements of the western UP The subsequent spring thaw, mixed with repeated April rainstorms throughout northern Michigan, accelerated runoff into rivers and tributaries feeding Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Heavy rainfall round Traverse City for the previous 4 days has induced the Boardman/Ottaway River to overflow its banks and washed out the Beitner Bridge, south of Traverse City. Photo taken on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
More: April 2026 was the wettest ever for these Michigan cities
The Detroit News documented flooding issues alongside northern Michigan waterways in April as snowmelt and heavy rainfall pushed rivers towards flood stage and strained dams and drainage programs linked to the Lake Huron watershed.
From May by way of October, levels in Lake Huron and Michigan are forecast to remain 6 to 10 inches above 2025 levels, with the seasonal rise anticipated to proceed into August earlier than progressively declining within the fall. Even so, the lake system stays 37 inches beneath its document April excessive.
More: Flooding soaks northern Michigan lake homes upstream from Cheboygan dam
Lake Erie levels barely decrease
Lake Erie is projected to remain barely beneath last year’s levels by way of many of the summer time regardless of the moist spring. Erie rose 10 inches from March to April to 571.65 ft, though it remained 4 inches beneath April 2025 levels. The Corps once more cited “well above average” April precipitation throughout the basin.
Forecasts present Lake Erie staying 2 to 3 inches beneath last year’s levels by way of June and about 1 to 2 inches decrease throughout July and August earlier than edging barely above 2025 levels by early fall.
Lake Superior rises 3 inches
Lake Superior can be anticipated to remain above last year’s levels by way of October. Superior rose 3 inches from March to April to 601.12 ft, inserting it 4 inches above April 2025 levels. The Corps attributed the rise to above-average precipitation and water provides.
National Weather Service knowledge from Marquette confirmed snowfall effectively above common coming into April, with speedy warming later within the month contributing to accelerated snowmelt throughout the Upper Peninsula watershed that feeds Lake Superior.
The Corps expects Lake Superior to proceed its seasonal rise into September, remaining shut to barely above long-term averages by way of the autumn.
More: These 12 Michigan rivers under flood warning from rains, snowmelt
This article initially appeared on The Detroit News: Water levels on 4 Great Lakes forecast to remain above last year’s levels