THUNDER BAY – After an unseasonably warm winter, ice breaking efforts on Lake Superior will begin on Monday.
The United States Coast Guard cutter Alder will be arriving in Thunder Bay Monday or Tuesday and is scheduled to spend two to three days breaking up the ice accumulated inside the breakwall for the start of Lake Superior’s shipping season.
Port Authority Harbourmaster Guy Jarvis said ice coverage on the Great Lakes has been significantly lower this year, compared to previous years.
“Two years ago all five Great Lakes were frozen 100 per cent,” Jarvis said.
“This year, as of today, the entire Great Lake system was only 16 per cent and most of the growth has been in the last ten days, so we think it’s going to be fragile and we think we will get an easier go at it this year.”
Jarvis added if all goes well, the port itself could be open and ready to go as early as next Friday...the day before the Soo Locks open for the season.
(TBT News)
