18 Nov 2020

High water levels and wave events increase safety hazards

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urges caution around Great Lake piers, breakwaters and jetties, particularly during times of high wind and wave events. Many accidents and incidents near harbor structures occur during the turbulent weather season late in the year and higher than normal water levels pose an added threat. The lakeshore attracts local residents and visitors alike and some may not be aware of the powerful impacts that strong winds, storms and high water levels can bring. Dangers of High Water Levels, Waves. The Great Lakes are experiencing higher than normal water levels, which bring safety hazards such as submerged breakwaters, dangerous rip currents and electric shock risks.

8 Oct 2020

Ohio & Erie Canal project complete, Project Team to host webinar

The Ohio & Erie Canal project delivery team will host a webinar October 15th at 2pm EST, to celebrate the completion of the Ohio & Erie Canal Aquatic Nuisance Species Barrier Project, that has the primary benefit of protecting the highly valuable commercial and recreational fisheries in Ohio and the Great Lakes.

11 Sep 2020

Corps of Engineers report Great Lakes water levels remain high as fall storms approach

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials report despite seasonal declines, Great Lakes water levels remain high as fall storms approach. “The Corps of Engineers urges anyone impacted by high water levels last fall to prepare for similar or worse impacts in the coming months,” Detroit District Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office Chief, John Allis said. The Corps’ Detroit District is responsible for monitoring, forecasting, collecting and disseminating Great Lakes water level information. For the most up-to-date Great Lakes water level information visit the district’s website at www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information.

2 Sep 2020

Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration program launches new webpage

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission are proud to announce the new Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration (GLFER) Program web page: https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/Home/Great-Lakes-Fishery-Ecosystem-Restoration-Program/

4 Aug 2020

Great Lakes water levels reaching peaks for the year

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces each of the Great Lakes, except Lake Superior, have likely reached their peak water levels for the year and are predicted to decline. Lakes Michigan-Huron set another new monthly mean record high water level in July, however the water level is expected to slowly drop the rest of the year. Water levels on Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario all continued to decline last month, with no new records set on those lakes in July. The water level of Lake Superior is expected to peak next month before entering its period of typical seasonal decline. “While we expect water levels to decline across most of the Great Lakes, levels still remain extremely high,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District.

12 Jun 2020

Great Lakes water levels still setting records

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie set new monthly mean water level records for May 2020. These water level records were previously set in 1986 on Lakes Michigan and Huron and just last year in 2019 on Lakes St. Clair and Erie. As we enter the summer months, all of the lakes are either in their period of seasonal rise or are reaching their peak, except Lake Ontario, which will likely begin its seasonal decline this month. Although most of the month was dry, the middle of May brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the basin, resulting in a wetter than average month for the Michigan-Huron and Erie basins. In the coming months, water levels are projected to continue to be near or above record high water levels on all of the lakes, except Lake Ontario. Significant erosion and flooding continues in many locations as water levels remain extremely high. “The water level of Lakes Michigan and Huron has now risen above the peak level that was reached last year,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District.

26 May 2020

Shutterbugs invited to submit photos from Great Lakes sites

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, invites the public to participate in their annual photo contest. Entries are now being accepted through 11:59 p.m. June 7 and should feature Great Lakes’ sites such as the Soo Locks, Duluth Ship Canal, piers, breakwaters or federal harbors on the Great Lakes. The top 12 photographers will have their photo included in a 2021 downloadable calendar and the top three photographers, determined by social media vote, will receive a plaque with their winning photo, provided by the Soo Locks Visitors Center Association.

12 May 2020

Record water levels set, watching spring

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie set new monthly mean water level records for April 2020, which were previously set in 1985 or 1986. All of the lakes are either in their period of seasonal rise or are reaching their peak, as we continue into the late spring and summer. Although the end of April brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the basin, the month as a whole was quite dry for the Great Lakes region. During the spring, water levels typically rise on the Great Lakes due to increased rainfall and runoff. In the coming months, water levels are projected to continue to be near or above record high water levels on all of the lakes, except Lake Ontario. Significant erosion and flooding continues in many locations as water levels remain extremely high.

7 Apr 2020

Water Levels to remain high during seasonal rise

DETROIT- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie set new monthly mean water level records for March 2020, which were previously set in 1986. All of the lakes are now in their period of seasonal rise and will continue to rise toward their peaks, which are projected to occur in the late spring or summer. March was fairly wet in the Great Lakes region with precipitation near to above average across the region. During the spring, water levels on the Great Lakes are usually in a period of seasonal rise due to increased rainfall and runoff. Water levels are expected to rise toward their seasonal peaks over the coming months and will continue to be near or above record high water levels. Significant erosion continues in many locations as water levels remain extremely high. Strong storm systems and resulting large waves have led to substantial erosion along much of the Great Lakes coastline. “After a generally drier month of February, March brought a return to wetter conditions experienced across the Great Lakes basin,” said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District. “During this period of seasonal rise for the Great Lakes, near or above record high water levels will continue to cause impacts along the shoreline.”

2 Apr 2020

Agreement signed to help stop flooding in Detroit

DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, has signed an agreement to assist the City of Detroit with direct assistance to fight against flood events expected during this upcoming spring and summer seasons. The cooperation agreement, signed electronically in light of COVID-19, will provide direct assistance to the City of Detroit in the Jefferson-Chalmers and Jefferson Village neighborhoods. “Even while the Detroit District and the Corps nation-wide is surging to help the nation respond to this pandemic, we're working diligently to help the City of Detroit and State of Michigan protect our communities from historically high water levels,” said Lt. Col. Greg Turner, district engineer, Detroit District.