An all-time record for low water levels was broken during the month of January for Lake Michigan and Lake Huron – which in part explains how area residents have witnessed the Detroit River reach it’s shallowest levels in years.
Many long-time Windsor area boaters and fishing enthusiasts told The Star last week how they believe the river has fallen two to three feet compared to last year and reached its lowest levels in decades.
The International Lake Superior Board of Control – which includes Environment Canada officials – reported Friday that Lakes Michigan-Huron not only broke the all-time low monthly average for January, but also recorded the lowest-ever level since statistics have been kept starting in 1918.
The Lakes Michigan-Huron levels for January were 175.57 metres – three centimetres below the previous monthly record set in 1965 of 175.60. It also breaks by one centimetre the all-time low monthly mark set in March, 1964 of 175.58.
The lake levels are currently 72 cm below their long-term average, according to the control board.
Drier, warmer weather and greater evaporation the past couple of years are being blamed for the waterway level drop, the board said.
Water level averages over the next several months leading into the summer are being predicted to stay at or below record levels unless there is an unexpected major change in the level of precipitation, the board said.
