LBDN Water Level

[ranger1]

I just got back from a weekend at Rapid River in the Upper Peninsula on LBDN. I had a great time because the walleye run is on and if you have not see this, then you are really missing something, but the water level is really low. I was talking to many of the resorts and the locals about the water level and they told me that it is down about 40 inches this year. The walleye opener is May 15 and there will be many people there and I hope everyone remembers not to use the same "way points" from last year since the rocks they once went over are now going to take off there prop or beach the boat. Everyone has there own idea of why this is happening, so if you have a view, please let me know.

[KevinA]

The low water level is part of a natural cycle...though where we are at today is approaching the lowest of all (recorded) time. That being said, the overall seasonal rise & fall of Lake Michigan (actually all the Great Lakes except Superior...it's level is somewhat controllable)for the last few years shows a downward trend that isn't necessarily seen in the last 30+ years data. This is troubling as most folks would like to seen the water level curve start to rise, but it isn't so far. Part of the problem is lower than normal rain & snowfall in the drainage basin for the last few years. Another source of the problem is warmer than normal winters for +- 3 years..this results in less ice and more evaporation. If I remember right evaporation is the single largest path that water leaves the lake.

I bet the east shore of upper LBdN is huge. It's only 2-3 feet deep (on top of the shelf) in a year with plenty of water.

[bob oh]

The water level on Erie is way down and is now below the 80-year avearge, but couple feet above the lowest level of 1934. Erie has been higher that normal for the last 20 years or so, so many boaters and fishermen have never seen low water. The low level is causing a lot of problems for marinas and other businesses and boaters, but boaters and fishermen should be able to get pretty good charts for Erie.
Bob

[ranger1]

KevinA,

Yes the Eastside of LBDN is quite shallow. the sand reef extending out from Garth Point is getting longer everyday and the shallows around Butler's Island is also growing. People need to remember that the path between "Rocky Point" and "Garth Point" is not as deep as it was before and you would be wise to be mindful of your locator system and DO NOT USE ANY PREVIOUS WAYPOINTS. I'm still wondering about the opener on May 15th.