Lake levels
The level of Lake Superior remains well above the long-term average. According to the latest report from the International Lake Superior Board of Control and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
The monthly mean water level of Lake Superior in July was 183.68 m (602.62 ft). This is 18 cm (7 in) above the long- term (1918-2014) July average and the highest July level since 1997. The net water supplies to Lake Superior were approximately average in July. The level of Lake Superior rose 2 cm (1 in) last month, less than the average rise of 4 cm (2 in) in July. The Lake Superior level at the beginning-of-August is 17 cm (7 in) above average, 2 cm (1 in) above the level recorded a year ago at this time, and 49 cm (19 in) above its chart datum level.
Trans Superior racers sail into Duluth
Some 38 hours after leaving Sault Ste. Marie, the first team sailed into Duluth on August 3 to reach the finish line of the Trans Superior International Yacht Race. The punishing 338-nautical-mile race started on August 1.
The winner isn't necessarily the first boat in. Times are adjusted with a formula to negate the inherent speed advantages of larger vessels. See who won in each category.
Trans Superior
Bayfield welcomes Siberian guests
Rick Erickson:
As a result of the strong bonds that were formed when a group of students, parents and staff from the Bayfield School District visited Lake Baikal, Siberia, a small contingent of our Siberian friends will be traveling to the Lake Superior region Aug. 5-16.
A high school teacher in Bayfield, Rick organized the trip to Russia last summer, an exchange program of sorts to connect people who live beside the world's largest lake by volume (Baikal) and on the shores of the largest by surface area (Superior). Read all about their adventure in this story.
The Siberian group's Lake Superior visit will include a community celebration on August 15 at 5 p.m. at Bayfield's East Dock Park. Bring a dish for the potluck and meet folks from one of the world's other truly great lakes.
+ Earlier in the week we posted about the emergency repairs on Sault Ste. Marie's MacArthur Lock, one of the Soo Locks. Here's the latest update from the Corps of Engineers. Repair work will continue into next week.
+ MPR's Dan Kraker: "Company drops plan to ship oil across Lake Superior."
+ Three-time Stanley Cup champ Patrick Sharp was back in his hometown of Thunder Bay this week for his annual charity golf tournament.
+ A photo from our shores was chosen as a NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day this week.
+ John Myers, Duluth News Tribune: "St. Louis County offers cash for ballast treatment."