Great Lakes levels are low. Shipping officials are hoping for heavy rains this spring to make up for the inadequate snowfalls.

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Great Lakes Levels Expected to Drop up to a Foot, Shipping Loss Seen

St. Lawrence Seaway Slated to Open March 22: Great Lakes Shipping to Resume

March 18, 2011
By: Dave Rogers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says because of low snowfall in northern regions this winter the Great Lakes may be as much as a foot lower.

Shipping officials are hoping for heavy rains this spring to make up for the inadequate snowfalls.

Army forecasts put Lake Michigan and lake Huron as much as 12 inches below last summer's level of 569 feet - which was 10 feet below the historical average.

Lake Erie may lose as much as six inches while Lake Superior could drop eight inches. Both lakes also remain below their historical averages.

Despite record snowfalls in southeast Michigan, and above-average snow in Illinois and other Great Lakes states, there was not enough snow in northern Michigan and Lake Superior, according to the Corps. The below-average snow cap over Lake Superior could lead to less water flowing into the lakes once spring thaws start.

"Water in that snow makes up most of the water supply for the upper Great Lakes," Keith Kompoltowicz, meteorologist for the Army Corps Detroit office, told Ontario's Times Herald.

However, Kompoltowicz said heavy rain in the spring could make up for the lack of northern snow.

Glen Nekvasil, a spokesman for the Lake Carriers' Association in Cleveland, said lower waters could affect the lake shipping business.

"Our ships lose anywhere between 50 and 270 tons of cargo for each inch of draft," Nekvasil said, "In the worst cases, it is 15 to 16 percent of a ship's carrying capacity."

"When they're not carrying as much cargo, they're not making enough revenue." Nekvasil said.

The opening of the 2011 navigation season is scheduled to take place on the following dates and times:

Montreal / Lake Ontario March 22, 2011 - 0800 hours (D.S.T.)

Welland Canal March 22, 2011 - 0800 hours (D.S.T.)

Vessel transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed.

Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canals United States Soo Locks will open March 25.

The Service Incentive Program offers a rebate of 20 percent on applicable cargo tolls for carriers that implement a new service. The objective is to provide incentive for carriers and assist them in developing and implementing a liner or semi-liner service from the Great Lakes ports to other global markets.

This incentive is available to all carriers presently calling on ports in the Great Lakes Region and potential service providers who are looking to expand their scheduled services.

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