Data shows that in May, the average water levels for Lake Huron were at 579.66 feet, which is estimated to be about 579 feet, 8 inches. That’s about three inches lower than last year’s average in May, which was at 579 feet, 11 inches.

Compared to May 2020, last month’s water levels were 2-feet-3-inches lower.

The last time water levels were below 580 feet was eight years ago, in 2015, data shows. While these are not the lowest water levels Lake Huron has experienced, data shows a trend of decreasing levels that could go lower in coming years.

Alpena Harbormaster Shannon Smolinski said the current levels are much better than before. In 2020, water levels were so high that some locations surrounding Lake Huron flooded.

News Illustration by Michael Gonzalez The graph displays the past 10 years’ data for water levels in Lake Huron from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The last time water levels were below 580 feet was eight years ago in 2015, data shows.

“A question a lot of people ask me is how are our drafts,” Smolinski said. “They’re great. We aren’t flooding, so the levels are good.”

Smolinski said the current lower water levels are in a good spot and that they shouldn’t have any negative effects for lake-goers or the wildlife.

Recent research says that high water evaporation could be playing a part in lower water levels too.

The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, indicated in past reports that evaporation could be higher because of lower ice coverage of the lakes. Higher water evaporation will lead to lower water levels.

The report said “the more ice cover on the lakes, the more energy it takes to heat up the water throughout the summer and leading into fall, which is when most evaporation occurs.”