Sault area residents reporting low water levels on St. Marys River

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – “Water supply conditions were drier than average in both the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins in October,” the International Joint Commission states on its website. The commission deals with issues affecting the many waterways along the Canada – U.S. border.

It says Lake Superior declined by 10 cm (3.9 inches) in October while the seasonal long-term average pattern is for Lake Superior to decline by 4 cm (1.6 inches) in October.

Lakes Michigan and Huron declined by 17 cm (6.7 inches) last month, while the seasonal long-term average pattern is for those lakes to decline by 7 cm (2.8 inches) in October.

At the beginning of November, the lake-wide average water level of Lake Superior was 19 cm (7.5 inches) below the seasonal long-term average and 19 cm (7.5 inches) below the level of a year ago.

At the beginning of this month, the lake-wide average water level of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron was 7 cm (2.8 inches) below the seasonal long-term average and 21 cm (8.3 inches) below the level of a year ago.

If weather and water supply conditions are near average, Lake Superior may decline by approximately 5 cm (2.0 inches) and Lake Michigan-Huron may decline by approximately 6 cm (2.4 inches).

If conditions are much wetter than average, Lake Superior may rise by as much as 2 cm (0.8 inches) and Lake Michigan-Huron may rise by approximately 2 cm (0.8 inches).

If conditions are much drier than average, the water level of Lake Superior may drop by approximately 10 cm (3.9 inches) and Lake Michigan-Huron may decrease by as much as 12 cm (4.7 inches).

“Any low water conditions being observed may be attributed to a localized weather driven effect. Winds in the Great Lakes region can have a significant impact on local water levels, essentially blowing water from one portion of a lake to another,” said Todd Ehret, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oceanographer, in an email to SooToday.

“This can create a ‘low water’ condition in one area while raising water levels in another. When the wind changes direction, the water levels will change in response. If this is a localized weather driven condition, it will likely change when the wind and weather changes.”

This would have no lasting detrimental effect on the environment and Sault and Algoma District residents, the NOAA states.

“If this is a weather driven effect, it will likely have minimal effect on the environment, and what effects it has will be short-lived,” Ehret said.

Soo Today

 

USS Beloit Will Be Commissioned In Milwaukee On Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 23rd at 10 am the U.S. Navy’s newest Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will be commissioned at Veteran’s Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront.  It is LCS-29 USS BELOIT, a Freedom class mono-hull ship, which was launched in Marinette, Wis., in 2022.  Having completed her sea trials last August, she will formally be accepted into the Navy on Saturday.

USS BELOIT displaces 3,410 metric tons on a hull that is 388 feet long, 58 feet wide, and draws 14 feet of water.  She has a crew of 50 sailors and can move at over 40 knots.

She is the first ship named Beloit which honors both the city and also the contributions made to the Navy by Beloit based diesel engine manufacturer Fairbanks-Morse, which has been making diesel engines since 1912 and built the diesel engine that powers this ship.

Her sponsor will be Beloit born retired U.S. Army Major General Marcia Anderson, the first African-American woman to reach the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army.

The commissioning ceremony is paid for by private donations. In addition, there is a private fund established to help the crew of USS BELOIT. According to Spectrum News, its lead contributor is 98 year old World War II Valor Vet George Olson. George survived the sinking of his ship the destroyer USS TWIGGS off Okinawa in June 1945. TWIGGS was hit by two kamikaze attacks and a torpedo and sank with the loss of 126 men. After the war George went on to work at Fairbanks-Morse for 40 years.

Further information can be found at: https://www.ussbeloit.org/the-ship

Toledo museum celebrates the Christmas Tree Ship’s legacy

On November 23, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons sank while carrying Christmas trees. Known as the Christmas Tree Ship, its captain, Herman E. Schuenemann (a.k.a. “Captain Santa”), was known for giving trees to families in need.

The story of the ship’s history and captain is the inspiration behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes annual Community Giveback Event—The Christmas Tree Ship, presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center. Enjoy free museum admission all day long and make memories that last a lifetime! Watch Santa arrive at the museum’s dock aboard a Geo. Gradel Co. tugboat delivering a Christmas Tree into your hands or the hands of someone in need.

Community Giveback Day Itinerary

    10 AM – 5 PM: Museum Admission Free All Day

    11 AM: Enjoy the East Toledo Holiday Parade

    1:15 PM: Watch the Ship’s Journey to the Museum via Livestream

    1:30 PM: Santa Arrives to the Museum’s Docks

    1:45 – 3:45 PM: Meet and Greet with Santa

Not able to join in person? Tune into our Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired our event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa!

Read more here: https://nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship24/