THUNDER BAY — After setting or tying multiple records for high water marks in 2019, Lake Superior in 2020 retreated somewhat from levels that have caused erosion and damaged shoreline infrastructure.
At the beginning of December, the biggest of the Great Lakes was just over three inches (8.0 centimetres) below its level of a year ago.
That is still much higher than normal, however.
The International Lake Superior Board of Control says it is nearly 10 inches (25 centimetres) above the long-term average for December.
The agency cautions that Superior will continue to pose a risk for shoreline erosion and coastal damages over the next several weeks and potentially through the winter, especially during periods of strong wind and high waves.
The board of control's forecast for December shows the lake falling a further two to six inches (5.0 to 14 centimetres) depending on the amount of precipitation over the Lake Superior basin.
However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects the lake will fall two to three inches (5.0 to 7.5 centimetres) by the end of the month.
Lake Superior Water Level/Beginning of December:
2020 – 602.69 feet (183.70 metres)
Long-term average – 601.87 feet (183.45 metres)
Record high – 603.25 feet (183.87 metres) in 1985
Source: International Lake Superior Board of Control
