DETROIT DISTRICT
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
CELREHHW
477 MICHIGAN AVENUE
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226
DECEMBER 2012 GREAT LAKES WATER LEVEL SUMMARY
LAKE SUPERIOR
The average water level of Lake Superior for the month of December was 600.59 feet, which was 2 inches
below Novembers level. The December level was 6 inches below chart datum, 13 inches below longterm
average (LTA), and 1 inch below the level of one year ago. Precipitation on the Lake Superior basin was
below average in December at 56% of average and 91% of average over the past 12 months. The water level
of Lake Superior is forecasted to be 6 to 11 inches above record low water levels over the next six months
and 3 to 12 inches below chart datum through June. The water levels will range 1 to 2 inches below levels of
a year ago over the next six months and 12 to 14 inches below LTA through June.
LAKE MICHIGANHURON
Lake MichiganHurons monthly mean level for December was 576.15 feet, which was 3 inches lower than
Novembers level. Lake MichiganHuron set a new record low water level for the month of December. The
previous record low for December was set in 1964 at 576.18 ft. The December level was 16 inches below
chart datum, 17 inches below its level of last year and 28 inches below its LTA. Precipitation on the Lake
MichiganHuron basin was near average in December at 92% of average and 87% of average over the past 12
months.The water level of Lake MichiganHuron is forecasted to set new record lows for the months of
January and February, and be 0 to 2 inches above record lows March through June. Lake MichiganHuron is
forecasted to range from 8 to 18 inches below chart datum over the next six months. The water levels are
expected to be 28 to 30 inches below LTA through June and range 10 to 17 inches below last years levels
over the next six months.
LAKE ST. CLAIR
Lake St. Clairs monthly mean water level for December of 572.64 feet was 2 inches below Novembers level.
During December, Lake St. Clair was 21 inches below last years level and 15 inches below LTA. Lake St.
Clairs water levels are projected to range 8 to 20 inches below last years levels over the next six months and
10 to 15 inches below LTA through June.
LAKE ERIE
Lake Eries average water level was 570.28 feet in December, which was 1 inch below the level of November.
Decembers water level was 23 inches below last years level and 7 inches below LTA. The Lake Erie basin
received near average precipitation in December at 99% of average and has received 87% of average
precipitation over the last 12 months. Lake Erie is forecasted to be 6 to 23 inches below its levels of a year
ago through June and 6 to 10 inches below LTA over the next six months.
LAKE ONTARIO
The level of Lake Ontario for December was near Novembers level with a mean of 243.7 feet. The December
water level was 13 inches below last years level and 10 inches below LTA. Lake Ontario received above
average precipitation in December, with the total being 140% of average. During the last 12 months,
precipitation over the basin has been 86% of average. The lake is forecasted to range 8 to 25 inches below its
levels of a year ago through April, then 0 to 3 inches above the prior years levels in May and June. Lake
Ontarios water level is projected to be 3 to 9 inches below LTA over the next six months.