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The Inn on Lake Superior
Inn on Lake Superior webcam, Feb. 5, 2016
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Level Report, Beginning of February 2016
Lake declines less than normal in January
An unusual winter that gave us a 40-degree day in January has also brought some unusual lake levels, too. Last month the Big Lake declined a centimeter less than normal, thanks to a boost from snowmelt. In December, Lake Superior’s level unexpectedly rose. According to the latest report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
The net water supplies to Lake Superior were above average in January. The level of Lake Superior fell 6 cm (2 in) last month, while on average the lake falls 7 cm (3 in) in January. The Lake Superior level at the beginning-of-February is 23 cm (9 in) above average, 2 cm (1 in) above the level recorded a year ago at this time, and 32 cm (13 in) above its chart datum level.
All of the Great Lakes, in fact, are currently above their normal levels. They’re all above the levels recorded one year ago, as well.
Nathan Schroeder wins Beargrease title
Holding off a spirited pursuit from runner-up Jason Campeau, musher Nathan Schroeder of Warba, Minnesota, and his team won the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on Wednesday morning. It’s his fourth victory in the nearly 400-mile North Shore race, tying him with Jamie Nelson for the most all-time.
Defending champ Ryan Anderson of Ray, Minnesota, finished third. Jason, the runner-up from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, earned the Rookie of the Year award. In the mid-distance race, Martha Schouweiler of Irma, Wisconsin, repeated as champion, ahead of Frank Moe of Hovland, Minnesota, and Dusty Klaven of Togo, Minnesota.
+ Coverage of the races from the Duluth News Tribune.
+ “CBS Evening News” featured the race on Sunday.
How does Ashland monitor its water?
As we continue to track issues related to drinking water following our recent State of the Lake report, Rick Olivo of the Ashland Daily Press checks in with the city’s water treatment facility:
Just how safe is the drinking water in the City of Ashland?
The short answer is — very safe.
Brew news: Duluth’s Blacklist Artisan Ales will open a tap room this summer in the former Last Place on Earth building, reports WDIO. In Marquette, Blackrocks Brewery announced another expansion; it has grown from producing 400 barrels of beer in 2011 to a projected 7,500 in 2016, Brian Cabell reports in his Word on the Street roundup. And in Washburn, South Shore Brewery opened a tasting room and retail outlet, writes Hope McLeod in the Bayfield County Journal.
New dairy seeing support from Thunder Bay: Slate River Dairy opened last year with a back-to-basics approach to its six products, Brent Linton writes in the Chronicle-Journal.
“Steamship America,” coming in March: A new documentary from Duluth’s PBS station will tell the story of the America, an iconic North Shore vessel that wrecked on Isle Royale in 1928. Producer Karen Sunderman shared part of the tale in our February/March issue, and she interviewed the magazine’s own Cindy Marshall Hayden (along with many of our friends in the maritime community) for the documentary. Watch the trailer on YouTube.
Antibacterial hand soaps threaten fish, according to researchers at Michigan State. Tong Xu reports for Great Lakes Echo.
Ice sculptures near Grand Marais: Photographer Paul Sundberg snapped these images of the ice-covered shoreline.
Michigan Tech announces snow statue winners: See the students’ spectacular Winter Carnival creations.