The cost of ice
The seemingly glacial ice that brought shipping on the Great Lakes to a virtual standstill last winter cost the economy more than $700 million and nearly 4,000 jobs, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) reported, prompting the group to call for construction of a second heavy icebreaker to partner with the U.S. Coast Guard’s MACKINAW to keep the shipping lanes open in the harshest of conditions.
+ Meanwhile, ice-breaking operations are now underway on Lake Superior:
Ice-Breaking at the Soo Locks
The Soo Locks close for the winter on January 15.
In Wisconsin, the Madeline Island ferry shut down for the season this week.
View from the top
Visitors to Nipigon are expected to get a panoramic view of Lake Superior and the distant countryside once a lookout tower is constructed in the community.
The tower, part of Nipigon’s ambitious waterfront development plan, could be completed by next summer.
+ Regular magazine contributor Bryan Hansel chatted about winter photography on Wisconsin Public Radio.
+ Travis Novitsky, whose work you’ll find in our new issue, made a pair of time-lapse videos this week of Lake Superior sea smoke.
+ SooToday’s Kenneth Armstrong writes about a program to introduce new Sault residents to the great outdoors.
+ Superior Telegram: “First ship arrives to spend winter in Duluth.”