Navigating the Waves of Change: International Great Lakes Datum 2020 and its Impact on Great Lakes Harbor Maintenance

The International Great Lakes Datum (IGLD) is a vital vertical reference for measuring water levels across the Great Lakes. Currently, we use IGLD 1985, but will be updated with the new International Great Lakes Datum 2020 (IGLD 2020), expected in 2025.

The International Great Lakes Datum is key for everyone involved in the Great Lakes region. Part of this datum, the Low Water Datum (LWD), marks a level so low that the water seldom falls below it. With the update to the International Great Lakes Datum 2020, we anticipate changes to the LWD for all the Great Lakes, likely lowering some levels. These updates to the International Great Lakes Datum can significantly impact harbor activities, such as changes in dredging depths, affecting both the volume of dredging and the associated costs.

At AMI, we specialize in ports and harbors design and maintenance, and we're well-informed about the upcoming changes to the IGLD 2020. Our team is ready to help you plan for any effects these changes might have on harbor maintenance.

For more details about the International Great Lakes Datum (IGLD) 2020 update, please visit the NOAA Tides & Currents Website: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/datum-updates/igld/.

Click HERE to schedule a call with our team and learn how the International Great Lakes Datum updates might affect your maintenance needs.