U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
MacArthur Lock
Workers repair a set of gates at the MacArthur Lock, which was out of service for 20 days.
MacArthur Lock reopens
Closed for 20 days while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made emergency repairs, the MacArthur Lock in Sault Ste. Marie reopened on August 17. The repair work on a set of gates was originally estimated to take 10 days.
"The lock was taken out of operation Wednesday, July 29, due to issues with closing the gates, it was then dewatered to determine the path forward for repairs," according to a news release from the Corps. Crews then replaced the anchorage linkages and realigned the gates.
Meanwhile, the Poe Lock handled the vessels that normally use the smaller MacArthur Lock.
"The Corps calculated 103 ships were delayed a total of 166 hours at the locks solely due to the closure of the MacArthur Lock," the news release continued. "Additional delays were experienced by the shipping companies as they slowed down in the system or were holding at dock facilities to minimize the time they waited at the Soo Locks facility."
The incident renewed calls for Congress to fund the construction of another lock. Only the Poe Lock can hold the 1,000-foot lakers that frequent the Soo Locks. (The MacArthur Lock can't accommodate ships longer than 730 feet.) Had the Poe Lock instead been knocked out of service, the delays would have been much worse.
+ Behind-the-scenes photos from the Corps of Engineers.
Isle Royale officials taking comments on wolf, moose and climate planning
As Isle Royale's wolf population teeters on the brink of extirpation – and as climate change reduces the chance that its numbers will be replenished naturally – park officials have asked the public for comments while they develop a management plan.
Just three wolves remain on Isle Royale, which has allowed the moose numbers to balloon and threaten the island's vegetation. At the same time, climate change has and will continue to alter the forest's makeup in ways likely unfavorable to moose (on which the wolves prey). Should more wolves be introduced? Should the moose be closely managed? How should managers respond to the pressures on vegetation? Your answers to these and other questions will shape the island's future. Comments will be accepted through Saturday, August 29.
Apostle Islands proposes fee increases
Wisconsin's Apostle Islands National Lakeshore will host two public meetings this month to discuss proposed fee increases for 2016.
The first is today (August 21) at Stockton Island's Presque Isle Campground. The second will be at the Bayfield Visitor Center on August 25. The meetings will be 4 to 6 p.m. both days.
"Participants will be able to review the current and proposed fee structure, the list of projects completed in recent years with fee revenue as well as those proposed for the future, ask questions, and submit comments," park officials say.
Overnight camping fees would increase from $10 to $15; mooring at park docks from $20 to $30; interpretive program fees for adults and kids from $3 and $8 to $5 and $10, respectively; and parking at Meyers Beach from $3 and $5 (depending on vehicle size) to $5 and $8.
+ Starting in 2016, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore will make its campsites available on Recreation.gov. Visitors will be able to reserve campsites online and print their own camping permits.
+ Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail received $75,000 from REI.
+ KBJR asks: What happens to all of the material dredged from harbors and shipping channels? In the Twin Ports, it's reused around town. (We answered more boat-related questions on our website, too)
+ Duluth News Tribune: Scouts explore Two Harbors shipwreck.
+ Earlier this year, the organization developing the cross-country Trans Canada Trail contributed nearly $1 million to establish a Lake Superior Water Trail from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay. Sixteen access points with amenities for paddlers and other visitors will be established along the route. The Sault Star reports on the exciting plans for Gros Cap Marina Park, the easternmost access point.
+ In Ishpeming, Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is set to open a boat launch at a popular fishing spot, reports ABC10.
+ Grand Marais photographer Paul Sundberg's stories accompanying his photos just might be as good as his spectacular images themselves.
+ Walter Scobie will always remember June 18, 1961, when his quiet morning was shattered by an explosion that ripped through Stannard Rock Lighthouse, where he was stationed. The blast killed one of his shipmates and left Walter and two others injured and stranded for three days. This summer, Walter returned to Stannard Rock for the first time.