The water levels in Lake Erie are on the seasonal rise.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, from the months of April to May the water levels in Lake Erie have risen 7 inches to a max level of 572.21 feet.
This level is 3 inches above the long-term average of 571.98 feet, and 2 inches below the water levels recorded a year ago in May.
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The lowest the lake has been historically in the month of May was 569.03 feet in 1934.
The highest the lake has been in May was 574.41 feet in 2020.
The Army Corps measures the water levels in the Great Lakes by measuring the height of the water above or below the International Great Lakes Datum. The datum is a reference point updated every 25 to 30 years due to the Earth’s crustal movement.
The corps collects data from the gauges to determine the lake-wide averages and forecasts the water levels.
Where are the water levels so far in June?
Data from the Corps of Engineers shows the water level in Lake Erie has a long-term average of 572.08 feet in June.
As of June 11, Lake Erie has reached a high-water level of 572.34 feet and a low of 572.24 feet, both above the long-term average.
What is the six-month forecast for water levels in Lake Erie?
The corps forecasts that Lake Erie will reach a seasonal peak in June before beginning a decline for the rest of the year.
During the six-month forecast, the water levels are expected to remain above the long-term average by about 2 inches to 3 inches.
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The corps forecasts the water levels to remain above the record low by about 34 inches to 39 inches and below the record-high water levels by 24 inches to 30 inches.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lake Erie water levels rising toward summer peak, USACE says