Great Lakes Water Levels Highest in Years
Lake Michigan water levels are not set to peak until August, and they’re already a foot higher than last year’s.
Water levels in Lake Michigan are almost a foot higher than they were last year and are still rising. The Great Lakes hit record lows just a few years ago, creating wide beaches and shallow marinas. Tom O’Brien is with the US Army Corps of Engineers Lake Michigan Area. He says the opposite experience is taking place this summer.
“This year they have little beach, they’re raising their docks, and they’re accommodating for higher water levels. Obviously the freighters benefit from all these higher water levels. Approximately just an inch of water the freighters can add a hundred tons of cargo to their vessels.”
-Tom O’Brien, US Army Corps of Engineers
O’Brien says he expects Lake Michigan to rise another couple of inches before reaching its peak in August. He says water levels have not been this high in 20 years.
