Lake Erie is not expected to break last year's record for high water levels this summer.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is reporting that Lake Erie started June at a monthly record high level but if it experiences average conditions, the lake level would start to go below record values during the month. However, the agency also said Lake Erie water levels will remain well above average conditions throughout the summer even with very dry conditions.
Environment Canada said the level of Lake Erie went up by seven centimetres in May, which is a little more than the five centimetres typically seen between May and June.
"All the Great Lakes were above average during May 2020, with both Lakes Michigan-Huron and Erie exceeding their record high monthly level for a fourth month in a row," reported Environment Canada.
The agency said Lake Erie was three centimetres above its May 2019 monthly record value and started June at its highest monthly level on record because precipitation in May was above average.
"At this time of year, all of the lakes are generally continuing their typical seasonal rise going into the summer," Environment Canada said. "With very high levels on all of the lakes and the possibility of large spring storms and winds, there is a high risk for accelerated shoreline erosion, and flooding to occur in low-lying areas."
In June of 2019, Lake Erie's water level was the highest it has ever been and broke the all-time record for high water levels set in 1986.