Keith Kompoltowicz News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

LELAND — Rising and falling Lake Michigan water levels are nothing new at Leland Harbor, and Harbormaster Jeremy Anderson wasn’t too worried about the latest levels forecast.

In January, when Lake Michigan’s chronically low water level reached its nadir, Leland Harbormaster Russell Dzuba faced the prospect of closing the popular harbor to keep commercial fishing vessels and pleasure boats from running aground in the shallow channel. Leland is one of dozens of Great Lakes harbors that have struggled for two decades with below average lake levels that damaged boats and caused freighters to carry less cargo to avoid hitting bottom. Closing Leland’s harbor would have been devastating, Dzuba said.

Snowmelt and recent rain have brought Great Lakes water levels up. This spring rise is normal - and water levels are projected to increase even more this month.

Lake Michigan was still 8 inches above average in July but 26 inches below the high in 2020.

This is why we love Michigan. What to expect in terms of weather, beach cover and water conditions on the Great Lakes.