Anglers and other users of the St. Marys Rapids are being advised that a higher than customary gate setting will continue to be maintained this winter to minimize the impacts of ongoing maintenance at Evolugen’s Clergue hydropower facility in Canada.
The gates of the compensating works at the head of the St. Marys Rapids will be maintained at an equivalent of two gates fully open in February.
A setting equivalent to one-half gate open is typically used during the winter months, the International Lake Superior Board of Control said in a news release.
A setting of two gates fully open is the maximum allowable winter gate setting under regulations to prevent premature ice cover breakup which could result in increased ice jams and flood risk.
The board said it expects that the total St. Marys River flow will be less than the flow prescribed by Regulation Plan 2012.
When compared to plan flow, the expected February flow deficit is equivalent to approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) added to the water level of Lake Superior and approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) removed from Lake Michigan-Huron cumulatively over the course of the month.
– Water level changes over the month of January
- Lake Superior declined by 5 cm (2 in) last month, near the seasonal long-term average decline of 7 cm (2.8 in) in January
- Lake Michigan-Huron stayed the same last month, while the seasonal long-term average decline in January is 3 cm (1.2 in)
– Water levels as of the beginning of February
- At the beginning of February, the lake-wide water level of Lake Superior is 19 cm (7.5 in) above the seasonal long-term average (1918-2021) and 31 cm (12.2 in) above the level of a year ago.
- At the beginning of February, the lake-wide level of Lake Michigan-Huron is 13 cm (5.1 in) above average and 13 cm (5.1 in) below the level of a year ago.
– Outlook
- Depending on the weather and water supply conditions during the next month, Lake Superior may decline by as much as 10 cm (3.9 in).
- Depending on the weather and water supply conditions, Lake Michigan-Huron may decline by as much as 5 cm (2 in) next month, or it may rise by as much as 6 cm (2.4 in).
The International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for managing the control works on the St. Marys River and regulating the outflow from Lake Superior into Lake Michigan-Huron. Under any outflow regulation plan, the ability to regulate the flow through the St. Marys River does not mean that full control of the water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron is possible, the board notes.
This is because the major factors affecting water supply to the Great Lakes (i.e. precipitation, evaporation, and runoff) cannot be controlled, and are difficult to accurately predict. Outflow management cannot eliminate the risk of extreme water levels from occurring during periods of severe weather and water supply conditions.