THUNDER BAY — For the first time since May, the largest of the Great Lakes has finished a month without breaking or tying its all-time record for water levels.
Jacob Bruxer, Canadian representative on the International Lake Superior Board of Control, says Superior's mean level in October was 183.88 metres above sea level, just three centimetres below the record mean level for the month, established in 1985.
That's despite the fact there was significant rainfall over parts of the Lake Superior basin last month.
Environment Canada reports that Thunder Bay received 92 mm of precipitation, nearly 70 per cent greater than the long-term average.
Bruxer told Tbnewswatch regulatory authorities expect that Superior "will finally begin its seasonal decline" this month.
He cautioned, however, that "if wet conditions continue, record-high levels are still possible."
It's noteworthy that the lake's level to start November is tied with the the all-time record-high for the beginning of the month.
The level is currently 37 centimetres above the average for this time of year, spanning a period of 100 years.
High water levels have caused significant erosion and damage to shoreline infrastructure along the Lake Superior shoreline this year.
On Oct. 21, waves caused by a strong easterly wind devastated the boardwalk and shore at the Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area in Thunder Bay.
