Lake Michigan, Huron water levels near record low

By JOHN FLESHER
AP Environmental Writer

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says water levels on Lakes Michigan and Huron are nearly at record low levels because of drought and evaporation.

Experts consider Michigan and Huron to be hydrologically one lake because they’re connected on the northern end and have the same surface level. Corps officials said Wednesday the level at the end of October is 1.5 inches above the historical average for the month.

Keith Kompoltowicz is a hydrologist with the Amy Corps district office in Detroit. He said levels have been driven downward by lack of snowfall last winter and the dry summer.

All the lakes are below their long-term averages for October and lower than they were a year ago.

He said heavy rain this month isn’t enough to offset the decline.