When is the water level the lowest on Lake Ontario?

The water level in Lake Ontario is typically at its lowest during winter. This phenomenon is primarily due to the seasonal variations in precipitation and evaporation rates, as well as the impact of ice cover. During winter, snowfall generally contributes to the water levels that will flow into the lake during the spring melt, but at this time, evaporation losses can also increase because of cold winds and low temperatures.

Furthermore, the ice cover that forms in winter can reduce evaporation rates; however, the overall inflow of water is significantly lower than in other seasons due to reduced precipitation and snowmelt. This combination of factors results in reduced water levels in Lake Ontario during the winter months compared to other seasons, when melting snow and spring rains help increase water levels.