Can You Sail From Lake Superior To The Atlantic Ocean? While it might sound unusual, it is indeed possible for a sailor with an appropriately-sized and prepared vessel to sail from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean. As the largest of the Great Lakes, Superior stands in a unique and advantageous geographic position that makes setting sail from its shores a viable means of oceanic exploration.
Those attempting the Lake Superior-to-Atlantic route should be aware of the waters between Lake Superior and the St. Lawrence River, which stretch for 1,000 miles and form the core of the route. Travelers should also be aware that the passage is only possible once a year, when the transportation locks in Sault Ste. Marie are opened and ready for larger vessels, typically near the beginning of May. Smaller boats can look to begin their journey down the Lakes Michigan-Huron-Erie-Ontario, or “The Mississippi of the North”, later, in spring and summer months.
Travelers should be aware of the dangers of the Superior-to-Atlantic route, according to experienced sailor and English professor, Marcus Sawrie. “A sailor attempting this route must be outfitted with an appropriate vessel and be well-prepared, not just in terms of food, water, and maps, but also with strong skills and knowledge of the treacherous waters of Lake Superior,” he warns. Sawrie cites the changing and fickle weather on the lake as a key obstacle for any sailor taking the challenging voyage.
Sawrie also underscores the inevitable dangers that the traveler will face: the unprecedented level of isolation in some places, the difficulty of navigation, the subtle and unpredictable shifts in the weather, the precariousness of harbors and anchorages, and the speed and number of freighters, and tankers. He recommends travelers work up to this journey, starting with smaller routes on less hazardous lakes, and work up from there.
Despite the risks, more adventurers are answering the call every summer, attempting to take the sail from Lake Superior all the way down to the Atlantic Ocean, according to Kevin O’Brien, a captain and navigator of the waters of the Great Lakes for more than 30 years. O’Brien’s company, Chicago-based North Star Cruising Company, provides tailored charters and private journeys, giving more sailors the chance to navigate through the Great Lakes. “It’s a tremendous challenge, but one that can be rewarded with incredible sights, and of course the satisfaction of going the extra mile,” he says.
O’Brien highlights the need to pay attention to the significant and unpredictable weather variations, as well as knowledge of the numerous docks and anchorages spread across the Lakes. He also underscores the importance of paying attention to harbors during late spring and early summer. He wishes all voyagers “calm winds and quick transitions”.
Lake Superior’s Disappearing Islands
Located among the largest lake in the world by surface area, Lake Superior has around 30 islands in its waters, with some being thousands of years old. One of the most stunning sights of the lake is an area called the “Apostles”, an archipelago of 12 large and picturesque islands that are a favorite destination of boaters and sailors.
These islands might soon be no more, dramatically changing the picturesque setting of Lake Superior, according to a paper published in Geophysical Research Letters. The paper states that if current trends continue, the “Apostles” may have disappeared by the end of this century. With the changing weather patterns and advancing oceanic currents, the islands could be gone in fewer than 100 years.
The main culprits are the warming waters of the lake mixed with fierce storms that contribute to summers of high winds and waves, which combined with other weather fluctuations, cause Lake Superior’s boulder beaches to crumble. This can cause dramatic effects in a very short time, likely leaving many of the iconic Apostle Islands uninhabitable.
Amy Carmichael, a senior researcher at the University of Minnesota, has been leading the research efforts around the disappearing islands. Her research indicates that human-caused climate change, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels, is causing the waters to warm and the more severe modern-day crashing waves. She urges increased awareness and awareness of the severity of such changes, in order for us to take action and preserve the iconic landscape of the Great Lakes.
Lake Superior’s Ecosystems
The Great Lakes have existed for thousands of years, and have served both as sole habitats of some species and as a home to a variety of species and ecosystems. Although the Great Lakes are currently modernized and affected by man-made alterations to the environment, their fragile ecosystems are still abundant and incredibly diverse.
The waters and shores of Lake Superior in particular host an incredible diversity and wealth of life, with species such as lake trout, lake sturgeon, lake whitefish and lake herring, along with some of the most unique species of bird and mammal in North America. As the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is a gentle giant and true ecological wonder, contributing to the balance of the other Great Lakes and providing home to diverse ecosystems and rare species.
For a sailor making the voyage through the Great Lakes, these lifeforms can be particularly interesting and important for the traveler. Sailors have the opportunity to come across species like the common loon and bald eagle, as well as occasional sightings of the elusive grey wolf. For many, these sightings are an unforgettable highlight of the journey.
Notably, recent research from aquatic biologist Timothy Gentry at Michigan State University has underlined the significance of Lake Superior’s fish population as an important food source for its surrounding lifeforms, especially for larger mammals such as the grey wolf. Gentry stresses the importance of protecting the disappearing islands and conserving the resources in Lake Superior’s waters in order to keep the fragile ecosystems balance of the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Are Disconnected From The Ocean
The Great Lakes are connected to one another by rivers, and they collectively form a vast system of interconnected waterways, but they are far from connected to the ocean. Even though it’s possible to sail from the furthest reaches of Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean, the journey is not traditionally considered a voyage to the sea. For most, the journey ends on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, which is the easternmost point of the Great Lakes.
Unscrambling the boundary line between the Great Lakes and the ocean is a complex matter and sailing to the Atlantic Ocean only represents a small fraction of what constitutes oceanic travel. Factors such as the distance, lake levels, weather patterns, and others make the lengthy journey a daunting and unprecedented task, even for the most experienced sailor.
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway has a significant reputation among the maritime industry, containing almost 95 percent of North America’s fresh water sources and providing a commerce nexus. The Great Lakes are also vital for commercial navigation, with an estimated 30 million tons of cargo moving through them each year. In order for the system to remain open and well-functioning, navigation regulations dictate that the locks and channels must remain open, allowing only certain vessels to enter and safely make it through.
Challenges for Shipping Companies and Fishermen
The Great Lakes system is crucial for shipping and travel, but industry operators can face a variety of challenges. Shipping companies in the region must adhere to strict size and weight restrictions, relying on certain narrow and shallow channels in order to successfully make it through the route. These factors are especially limiting for older vessels and those that must pass through one of the deeper parts of the Great Lakes.
At the same time, the restrictions don’t just affect commercial operations. Fishermen in the region must also take into account the limits on catch size, size of bait and type of fishing equipment, and are often limited to how far out they can venture. These limitations inhibit fishing activity and can be damaging to the local population of fish and other aquatic species.
These regulations are in place to protect the important ecosystem of the Great Lakes. A combination of government regulations, environmental advocacy, and respectful fishing practices can go a long way in helping to preserve and protect the balance of species in the Great Lakes.
Impact of Cargo Shipping on the Great Lakes
The heavy cargo vessels that travel through the Great Lakes are an integral part of the regional shipping industry, with their presence having a major and often detrimental effect on the environment. Current shipping activity throughout the Great Lakes can cause a high level of disturbance to the area, contributing to the debilitation of certain habitats, the destruction of natural environments and even the displacement of wildlife.
Statistically, the 1000-mile long Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system transports a whopping $30 billion worth of freight each year, which is shipped through the region in highly efficient vessels. This level of efficient shipping carries a corresponding level of pollution, with significant emissions of sulfuric oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide coming from the ships that pass through.
The need for conservation of the Great Lakes ecosystem, and a reduction in the shipping industry’s resulting pollution, has resulted in a variety of government regulations, including the adoption of a more advanced navigation system that allows commercial vessels to avoid having to pass certain areas of the Great Lakes.
Environmental groups have also pushed for more efficient shipping and cargo carriers, with the goal of reducing fuel usage and environmental damage caused by cargo vessels. This could be a step in the right direction in terms of preserving the environment of the Great Lakes.
