Season Awakens as Soo Locks Open, Ships Move

The Great Lakes shipping season is officially underway. The Soo Locks opened for traffic just after midnight Wednesday, and within hours the fleet was on the move. The *Mesabi Miner* departed Duluth on her first trip of the season, heading downbound for Cleveland. Meanwhile, two American Steamship Company 1,000-footers—the *MV Indiana Harbor* and *Burns Harbor*—left the Twin Ports after refueling, each bound for their respective loading docks at Two Harbors and Silver Bay on Lake Superior's North Shore. Not all openings go smoothly. The *John G. Munson* encountered engine trouble Wednesday morning while awaiting her turn at the locks. Tugs *Colorado* and *Cheraw* broke ice at the West Pier to bring her alongside for repairs. With the *Munson* out of the shipping channel, upbound traffic resumed, including the *Paul R. Tregurtha* and *Kathy McKeil*. By Wednesday afternoon, repairs were complete and the *Munson* resumed her voyage to Marquette to load ore. Farther down the system, the articulated tug-barge *Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder* arrived at Lorain, Ohio, with stone from Marblehead and unloaded at the Amrize dock Tuesday—the season's first arrival at that port. Water levels remain favorable across the system. Superior sits 0.57 feet above Low Water Datum, while Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario stand at 0.77, 0.29, 1.76, and 1.98 feet respectively. Weather conditions are unsettled: Lake Michigan is under a gale warning through tonight, while a weak low pressure system is crossing Superior with light winds. Temperatures are warming as spring advances, though a strong cold front will sweep the region late today and tonight. The season's opening comes as the Great Lakes face questions about maximizing clean energy. Research highlighted by Great Lakes Now shows untapped potential in waste heat from sewers, data centers, and industrial facilities—a resource that could power communities while protecting the waters that sustain the shipping industry.