Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Beyond the effects of climate change effecting lake levels, is the normal “cycle” of the lakes. It is approximately 11 years between high and low average levels, somewhat following the solar cycle.

People’s memories are short, however. A few years ago the water was at record high levels with people calling for the opening of the seaway to let more water out. When the levels drop in a few years, those people will be claiming Arizona and China are stealing our water. 🙄

So, it sounds like then from your descriptions that I am NOT seeing any errors on the MERC Dock lineup as water levels are starting to decline and fall. Indeed with the mild and warm winter and lack of snow and ice coverage all of this may in part be bringing the water levels down?

This past Winter had temperatures way above normal and there was a dearth of mid-latitude systems bringing snow to the Great Lakes.

Down my way in the St. Clair River, water levels are definitely down. My estimate is they are down a good foot or so, maybe more.
I was out in Lake Huron with our boat on the weekend and my depth finder was more in line with chart datum on my plotter, so we are definitley on the downswing of the high water levels experienced in the last few years.

I see on the schedule and Dock lineup for the MERC or SMET Coal Terminal in Superior that most of the 1,000 footers loading coal are projected at loading 65,000 tons on average in a trip. Is this due to lower water levels now on the rivers and lakes perhaps? I’m no expert on water levels, loads or drafts but in years past I’ve seen that 65,000 ton average up as high as 68,000 tons and that was just in the last year or two. Have water levels started to drop off now from their high levels from a few seasons ago and also, are ships carrying now lighter loads than they were before? Thanks for any information and replies to this.