Important Messages

Water levels in the Great Lakes are below their all-time averages and below last year's levels . The water levels are below the level of Chart Datum for Lake Superior (-0.3 metres), and Lakes Michigan and Huron (-0.4 metres).

Below average water levels in the Great Lakes are expected to continue into the summer months, according to the forecast prepared by Environment Canada and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Mariners should exercise extreme caution while navigating in the Great Lakes, especially during periods of strong winds when water levels can rise or fall significantly very quickly.

Consult Sailing Directions booklet CEN 300 - General Information, Great Lakes for more information on water levels and for a list of voice-announcing water level gauges in the Great Lakes area visit the website: http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/C&A/tidal_e.html

To comply with internationally agreed practices, Canada and the United States of America have agreed to eliminate overlapping coverage of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs).

15-Feb-2013: The maintenance to the BSB raster chart registration server is now complete. Should you experience any difficulties registering your charts, or if you have any questions, please contact us at chsinfo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca .

As a result of a server maintenance, the BSB registration system may be only sporadically available from February 6 to 15, 2013. It is anticipated that the system will resume normal service on February 16, 2013. For any question or concerns, please contact chsinfo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or 1-866-546-3613.

To comply with internationally agreed practices, Canada and the United States have agreed to eliminate overlapping coverage of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENCs). The first area affected by the changes includes Juan de Fuca Stait, Haro Strait and Boundary Pass, was implemented December 15, 2011. Canada and the United States will continue to resolve ENC overlaps in the Pacific, Atlantic and Great Lakes regions. This new ENC coverage scheme will result in each country changing their areas of coverage, so that only one country's ENC would be available for any given area at a particular scale.

On December 31, 2012, CHS will no longer produce and distribute Tracings and the associated website section will be closed. As the result of the improved chart production and maintenance processes, CHS no longer needs to produce Tracings to update its charts, so it will no longer be distributing them.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has issued a public advisory warning that water levels are lower than average in the Port of Montréal and in the Deux Montagnes lake. For the sector between Montréal and Varennes, water levels are below chart datum.