Lake Michigan Is More Than 3 Feet Lower Than It Was in 2020

After an unseasonably warm and dry winter in 2023-2024, things were closer to their seasonal averages this past winter. At one point, much of the state dealt with sub-zero temperatures in early January (shoutout to the massive crack that formed in my windshield). Some places, like Gaylord, even set record snowfall levels with over 200 inches of snow recorded. However, it was overall still a below-average winter despite the varying snowfall numbers and freezing temperatures.

These lighter snowfall numbers have begun having an impact on the water levels of the Great Lakes, with new reports indicating that many of the Great Lakes are below their monthly averages for this time of year, and with some totals multiple feet below where they were a few years ago.

Great Lakes Water Levels

Every week, the Army Corps of Engineers, which is also responsible for dredging the lakeshores, publishes a weekly Great Lakes water level update detailing weather conditions, lake level conditions, and more. The good news is that the water temperatures for all the Great Lakes are around season averages.

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The bad news is that for the first time since March 2014, all the lakes were below their monthly averages. Looking at Lake Michigan specifically, water levels as of May 9th are estimated at 578.81 inches. This is 6 inches below the monthly average for May, and 40 inches (3.25 feet) below the total in 2020 when the monthly record for May was set (~620 inches).

What Does This Mean For The Summer?

The US Army Corps of Engineers is predicting that Lake Michigan-Huron will reach its peak height in July, with about another 6 inches more than it is now.

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This isn't cause for concern, according to Keith Kompolotwicz, chief of hydraulics and hydrology for the Detroit district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who predicts that the water levels will remain below their long-term averages but won't see any record lows.

It's important to keep an eye on these totals going forward, especially if Michigan continues to have drier winters. For now, your biggest concern is making sure lake conditions are good for swimming.