Lake Superior could soon reach its record high water level set in the 1980s

The Associated Press
February 11, 2019 at 4:51PM
Lake Superior was explosive in this March 6, 2017 photo taken in Grand Marais. The great lake's water level may soon reach a record level.
Lake Superior was explosive in this March 6, 2017 photo taken in Grand Marais. The great lake's water level may soon reach a record level. (Special to the Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

DETROIT — Experts are predicting higher-than-normal water levels on the Great Lakes this summer, some of which may set records.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Detroit recently issued its latest six-month forecast for the lakes.

The Detroit News reports that Lake Superior is unusually high and by May could reach a record set in the mid-1980s. Lake Erie also could hit record highs in late spring.

Lakes Huron and Michigan should be above normal but aren't expected to break records.

No forecast was available for Lake Ontario, where levels are controlled.

Levels in some of the lakes were at record lows six years ago but have recovered.

Higher water means narrower beaches. But it helps commercial shippers, who don't have to worry about scraping bottom in shallow channels.

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