In March, the water supply to the Lake Superior basin was again below average, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Superior is currently 30 cm (12 inches) below its chart datum level. The level is expected to rise during April, but it’s currently 33 cm (13 inches) below the Lake’s long-term average beginning-of-April level and 8 cm (3 inches) below the level recorded a year ago.
This past month the level of Lake Superior dropped 4 cm (2 inches); on average it falls 1 cm (0.5 inch) in March.
+ The Corps of Engineers expects the levels in the Great Lakes to remain below average for the next six months, according to the Associated Press.
Beautiful Balloons
The Duluth Airshow unveiled a new aviation event Friday: Le Festival des Montgolfières à Duluth, or the Duluth Balloon Festival, to take place at Bayfront Festival Park on September 20-22. In addition to hot air balloons, the event will offer weather balloon launchings and hands-on activities for kids. The festival will be free and open to the public.
In a news release, Duluth Mayor Don Ness says, “This festival is another excellent example of the sorts of events Duluth’s waterfront and the prime location of Bayfront Festival Park can attract. The event marks a special blend of Duluth history, joining our French and aviation heritages and bringing them together during the peak season of fall colors.”
Salties Arrive
The first saltie of the year arrived in Duluth last weekend, the earliest an oceangoing vessel has ever arrived in the Great Lakes’ most inland port.
+ Thunder Bay celebrated its first saltie – the MV Isadora – with a top hat ceremony on Wednesday, reports TBNewsWatch.com.
+ This month, the sun will rise behind Minnesota’s Split Rock Lighthouse, providing a rare opportunity for photos like Paul Sundberg’s magnificent shot.
+ Duluth’s own Trampled by Turtles celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a homecoming show at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. WDIO has the story.
+ “For about 20 years, members of the Quincy Mine Hoist Association have wanted to make the 1918 hoist building more accessible, and that desire was recently realized with installation of a vertical lift,” according to the Mining Journal.
+ The longtime owner of Molly’s Tavern, a legendary bar in Superior, Wisconsin, has died, the Duluth News Tribune reports. Molly Spaun was 99.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 6: Gitchee Gumee Brewfest, 4-8 p.m. in Superior, Wisconsin.
Thursday, April 11: “Backwood Philosopher,” part of the Nordic Film Series at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan.