Cornell University's New York Sea Grant has released new Great-Lakes forecasts predicting the return of Lake Ontario to normal or even above normal levels by mid-June 2003.

Above average precipitation in the Great Lakes Basin since early March, particularly on the lower Great Lakes, has caused the level of Lake Ontario to rise more than thirty-two inches since March 15th, about nineteen inches more than the "normal" seasonal rise for that time of year. Rain in the Great Lakes Basin was about 31 percent above average for May 2003 while in the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario basins it was more than 60 percent above average

Of course, that's not always good news; it's good to know that the lakes are returning to normal, and it's good news for hydro-electricity interests, but above-average levels also means increased erosion from storms and that isn't much comfort to property owners along the shore.

[ Source: Great Lakes News ]