Lake level report
Lake Superior's mean level in March was 8 inches above long-term average, reports the International Lake Superior Board of Control and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
The monthly mean water level of Lake Superior in March was 183.42 m (601.76 ft). This is 20 cm (8 in) above the long-term (1918-2014) March average and the highest March level since 1997.
The net water supplies to Lake Superior were above average in March. The level of Lake Superior declined 2 cm (1 in) last month, which is the average decline in March. The Lake Superior level at the beginning-of-April is 19 cm (7 in) above average, 18 cm (7 in) above the level recorded a year ago at this time, and 21 cm (8 in) above its chart datum level.
A fond farewell
Minnesota Sea Grant Director Jeff Gunderson has retired after 36 years with the organization:
After several stints as interim director, Gunderson became the program's sixth director in 2009. All the while, he continued to serve as the program's fisheries and aquaculture specialist. His career spanned eating sea lamprey, rearing crayfish and close encounters with smelt, sicowet and leech issues. Gunderson is a master at developing solid and lasting collaborations across the Great Lakes and holds the respect of University of Minnesota officials and his National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration colleagues.
+ SooToday has two stories on the future of the Algoma Central Railway passenger train.
+ Michigan's Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park took second in a USA Today 10 Best contest.
+ TBNewsWatch.com: "A Thunder Bay eatery will get a little national exposure on Friday night."
+ Indiana photographer Steve Bensing, who won a second place award in our latest Lake Superior Photo Contest, was featured in his hometown newspaper.