by Dave Wobser » June 7, 2013, 8:34 am
Usually when vessels enter the St. Marys River system, either at Whitefish Point downbound, or DeTour upbound, they vessel will receive the flow rate in the river expressed in cubic feet per second. This is controlled by the gates at the Soo and lets the captain know what kind of current to expect. He will also be told the water level in the upper river and the Rock Cut.
The Rock Cut is a narrow passage on the west side of Neebish Island that has been cut out of solid rock. The water level in the Rock Cut is very important to loaded vessels because they may hit bottom if they are loaded deeper than the available water depth. The level of the bottom of the Rock Cut is similar to the depth of the water over the gate sills at the locks. There are times when the water level drops at the Soo such that downbound loaded vessels may go to anchor in Whitefish Bay. This is usually caused by an East wind that blows Lake Superior over to Duluth and lowers the upper St. Marys River. On the other extreme, a north wind can shift Lake Huron to the south and lower the water level below the locks which is where the Rock Cut is located. Water depth is a very important consideration for any vessel traveling the St. Marys River.
Usually when vessels enter the St. Marys River system, either at Whitefish Point downbound, or DeTour upbound, they vessel will receive the flow rate in the river expressed in cubic feet per second. This is controlled by the gates at the Soo and lets the captain know what kind of current to expect. He will also be told the water level in the upper river and the Rock Cut.
The Rock Cut is a narrow passage on the west side of Neebish Island that has been cut out of solid rock. The water level in the Rock Cut is very important to loaded vessels because they may hit bottom if they are loaded deeper than the available water depth. The level of the bottom of the Rock Cut is similar to the depth of the water over the gate sills at the locks. There are times when the water level drops at the Soo such that downbound loaded vessels may go to anchor in Whitefish Bay. This is usually caused by an East wind that blows Lake Superior over to Duluth and lowers the upper St. Marys River. On the other extreme, a north wind can shift Lake Huron to the south and lower the water level below the locks which is where the Rock Cut is located. Water depth is a very important consideration for any vessel traveling the St. Marys River.