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Most of the boats I've seen this year seem to be loaded between 25 and 27 feet. I think I saw one that was around 27.5. Channels and rivers are the issue as always, as well as clearance over the lock sills at the Soo and Welland.

Most lakers' maximum design drafts range from 27' - 34'. Lake levels (especially Superior) aren't terribly high right now, which means the max. draft a ship on most lake routes can load to is between 25' - 26'. That means if any but the smallest laker was overloaded it wouldn't be able to make it past the shallow spots in the St. Marys, St. Clair, or Detroit Rivers, or the Welland Canal / Seaway.

This year I have spotted many more vessels loaded to the max.
Some look like they are overloaded,. Are the lake levels that much different than the past few shipping seasons. This specific is only noted on the downbound vessels.