Great Lakes water levels started 2020 higher than they started 2019.
The Detroit district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says 2019 where many record high water levels were set across the lakes.
Those who were impacted by the high water levels in 2019 are urged to prepare for similar levels this year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the most recent six-month forecast shows water levels continuing to be well above average.
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are forecasted to reach record-high levels this year.
“It is likely that water levels on lakes Michigan and Huron will set new monthly mean record high levels over the next couple of months,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District, in a statement. “This sets the stage for coastal impacts and damages in 2020 similar to, or worse than, what was experienced last year.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says several natural factors contribute to the record lake levels, such as persistent wet conditions across the Great Lakes basin. Warm temperatures in December led to greater runoff, particularly on Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron, leading to more water supply.
