Lake Level Restricting Ore Boats

Lake Level Restricting Ore Boats

Lake Superior’s water level now stands at only five inches above its lowest level on record–just under 600 feet.

That’s having an impact on Cleveland-Cliffs which depends on vessels to carry iron ore. The boats have had to reduce their cargo by a thousand tons, or else they run the risk of hitting the bottom in the harbor.

“The less tons you take, the less tons you’re bringing to the steel-making plants,” explains Dale Hemmila of CCI. “We’re kind of limited by the shipping season itself and the amount of vessels we can get in here, so it will have an impact.”

The lake level is now 18 inches below normal. The record low was set back in 1926.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service say the U.P. is in a long-term drought, so a substantial rising of the lake is not expected anytime soon.

Information from: www.wluctv6.com

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