Hydroclimatic Factors of the Recent Record Drop in Laurentian Great Lakes Water Levels

Abstract

Abstract An extreme low-water supply episode from 1997 to 2000 resulted in the largest 1-yr drop in Lakes Michigan–Huron and Lake Erie water levels (0.92 and 1.03 m, respectively) recorded since measurements began in the early 1800s. Lake Superior water levels were the lowest since 1925. Lakes Erie and Ontario also had relatively low levels. The episode was unusual, particularly when compared to the record-low water episode of the mid-1960s, in that the primary hydroclimatological driver was high air temperatures and not extremely low precipitation. The high air temperatures resulted in unusually high lake evaporation rates and decreased basin runoff. The drop in levels during this episode was compared to other 1–3-yr decreases throughout the period of record. A comparison of the 1997–2000 episode for Lakes Michigan–Huron with the 1960–64 episode, which led to record-low lake levels in 1964, shows that the various elements of the water balance have differing importance in the two episodes.