Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior
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An Overview
Minnesota's North Shore represents 150 miles (240 kilometers)
of shoreline belonging to the world's largest (by surface
area) freshwater lake - Lake Superior. To
the Ojibwa (Chippewa), it was called Gitche Gumi:
Great Lake or Great Water. Three states (Wisconsin, Michigan
and Minnesota) and one Canadian province (Ontario) share the
lake's shoreline.
Lake Superior covers about 31,700 square miles (82,100 square
kilometers), about the same size as Maine or the combined
provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. It is
the greatest Great Lake--the largest freshwater lake in the
world by surface area, and the third largest by volume. Only
Lake Baikal in Siberia and Lake Tanganyika in East Africa
contain a greater volume of fresh water. Superior is the deepest
of the Great Lakes and along much of the North Shore is as
much as 700 feet deep (213 meters) only 3 miles (4.8 kilometers)
out from shore. The deepest spot, 1,332 feet (406 meters),
is 40 miles (64 kilometers) off Munising, Michigan. One of
the world's tallest buildings, Chicago's Sears Tower, could
fit in that hole with only a few floors sticking above the water.
See how it compares to the world's largest buildings and lakes.
If you drive the 350 miles (563 kilometers) from Ottawa to
Niagara Falls, you have traveled the length of Lake Superior.
To appreciate its width, drive the 160 miles (257 kilometers)
from Duluth to Minneapolis. If Superior's shoreline were unraveled
into a highway, it would extend 1,826 miles (2,938 kilometers),
the distance from Duluth to Miami. Lake Superior's watershed
covers 49,300 square miles (127,700 square kilometers) but
is a small basin for the size of the lake it contains. The
lake is 380 miles long (east to west) and as much as 160 miles
wide, with a surface area of 31,700 square miles (82,100 square
kilometers), 2900 miles of shoreline. These statistics speak
to the magnificence of this lake. A personal
view of the lake also helps put
perspective to this giant body of water that stretches glimmering
to the horizon. Storms can produce huge waves that pound against
imposing cliffs with spray plumes that reach hundreds of feet
in the air, indeed waves as large as 31 feet have been recorded
on Lake Superior. During winter dramatic
ice structures can be seen piled high along the shore.
Lake Superior could hold the water from all of the other Great
Lakes, along with three more Lake Eries. Because of its great
size, Superior has a retention time of about 191 years. This
is a measure of how long water stays in the lake, based on
volume and the mean rate of outflow and provides a general
sense of how long it can take to flush pollutants out of the
system.
Here in Minnesota, Lake Superior's shoreline offers up rugged
rocky cliffs, pebbly beaches, mini mountains forested by pines,
birch and poplars along with plunging streams and numerous
sensational waterfalls heading down to Lake Superior. All
meld together to form a spectacular wilderness rich in wildlife,
fish and other natural resources. Indeed one of nature's greatest
resources found along the North Shore is its numerous streams.
Between the eastern edge of Duluth and the Minnesota/Canadian
border there are 27 major streams draining 2184 square miles
of the North Shore into Lake Superior. These seasonally flashy
streams are short in length, steep and swift, cutting through
bedrock, over rapids and careening down spectacular waterfalls.
Dotted along the shoreline are a number of small communities
that share in the wilderness legacy. Most owe their origins
to the harvest of the areas abundant natural resources. First
(1650-1850) there were voyagers and the fur trade. Then in
the last third of the 1800s natural resources based industries
began to flourish such as commercial fishing for Lake Superior
Whitefish and Lake Trout, lumbering and shipping of Minnesota's
Northern Superior Upland Forests and the shipping of iron
ore from Minnesota's nearby Iron Range to more southern industrial
areas.
Since the late 1800s tourism has played an ever increasing
role of importance in lakeshore community development. Since
1945 the tourism industry has intensified and evolved from
short term visits with rustic accommodations to the building
of resorts and up-scale summer cottages that potentially will
be retirement homes for those besotted by the area's beauty.
Today's harvest of the wilderness is mostly a visual experience
for the countless tourists and part-time residents. However,
while physical extraction of natural resources has diminished,
burgeoning lakeshore communities now struggle with managing
a variety of environmental impacts, a consequence of
development pressures.
The resulting impacts are neither entirely defined nor fully understood.
To better understand Minnesota's North Shore communities and
their surrounding environment, links are provided to a selection
of web sites that cover natural history, environmental concerns
and recreation within the area.
Minnesota North Shore Natural History and Environment
-
Lake Superior Coastal Program Final Environmental Impact Statement (Part III) - 1999
A slightly dated but very good and complete review of the
environment associated with Minnesota's North Shore. Document
addresses climate, geology, soils, physical structure of coastline,
watersheds, wetlands, water and habitat quality, other natural
resources, pollutants, demographics, commerce and industry,
recreational and other developmental issues. Also has a good
pre-1999 reference section.
-
History of Minnesota's Lake Superior
Provides maritime historical details for recognized periods
of development along Minnesota's North Shore and includes
periods for the voyagers and their fur trade, European settlement
and fishing, establishment of the iron ore industry, the development
and collapse of the big tree lumber industry, railroads and
agricultural development (a transportation story) and the
more recent development of a North Shore tourism and recreation
industry. The document is long but interesting.
-
The Impacts of Tourism (3.7 MB pdf)
Delineates the good and bad impacts of tourism. Environmental
(including cultural, social and crowding impacts) and economic
impacts are examined from a cost- benefit approach. A useful
and informational document for community leaders and planners
developing North Shore communities into the future.
-
History Of Lake Superior: A Timeline
Provides a comprehensive outline of historical happenings
around the shores of Lake Superior from the 1600s through
the 1900s including historic photographs,
climate data and land use maps.
-
The Nationwide Rivers Survey of the National Parks Service
Provides information on notable rivers and streams in Minnesota,
many of these flowing into Lake Superior along the North Shore.
Includes a brief description of each stream, its length, its
location of origin and mouth.
To discover and explore the information provided on North
Shore streams, scroll down the County column and investigate
entries listed under St. Louis, Cook and Lake Counties. To
decipher the shorthand script notations, the following is
offered:
ORV-Outstanding Recreational Value S-Scenery R-Recreation G-Geology
F-Fish W-Wildlife P-Prehistory H-History C-
Cultural O- Other
Classifications: S-Scenic R-
Recreation W- Wild River
- Real Time River Heights and Discharge Rates from the USGS are available at:
-
Minnesota Landview
An easy to use interactive mapping tool provided by MNDNR. Users can view
Minnesota geographical features in a variety of mapping formats. Use of the
zooming tool allows user to pinpoint selected areas.
-
Lake Superior Basin Plan (2004) (warning: 11.9 MB pdf)
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) report documents and summarizes
the water management activities for the Lake Superior Basin for a five year
period to protect NE Minnesota's valuable natural resources, and resulting
quality of life. Recognition of the interrelationship of lakes, streams, and
rivers as an important factor in quality of life issues is discussed in terms
of natural limits. These waters are already besieged by an unprecedented number
of pressures and pollution sources.
The Basin Plan is long -342 pages- but contains a wealth of information.
- Minnesota Lake Superior Beach Monitoring Program
Provides water quality information based on indicator bacteria (fecal coliform
and E. coli) concentrations for Minnesota's public Lake Superior beaches.
Tabs at top of home page provide additional information on the monitoring
program, the science behind the program, and advice on how to help prevent
beach contamination. Includes a novel mapping
utility to "see" the sites and their current data and a
unique
data animation tool
for viewing the data over time or comparing it to other sites and other measurements.
- Lake Superior Weather Forecasts
-
Minnesota's Coastal Program
- List
of Impaired Waters in Minnesota (328 KB pdf)
MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) list reported to the US EPA of surface
water resources found to be "Impaired" and the pollutants causing
the impairment. Listed water resources require Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
reporting. The listing is by geographic area e.g. Lake Superior Basin
and includes data as recent as 2004.
- Historic (1998) MPCA
data on river impairment for rivers located in the Lake Superior Basin is
presented in an easy-to-use chart. Provides individual river lengths,
river uses, indicators of impairments and suspected pollution
sources. (215 KB pdf, pages 8 - 10)
- An
Assessment of Representative Lake Superior Basin Tributaries 2002 (1.4 MB pdf)
A study by MPCA assessing a number of North Shore streams between Duluth
and Canadian border. Technical information on Amity Creek, Talmadge River,
French River, Sucker River, Poplar River and Brule River is provided.
-
North Shore Scenic Drive All American Road- Corridor Management Plan 2003 (860 KB pdf)
A development and long term management plan for
the North Shore scenic road (Highway 61). The report provides
a vision, goals, and management recommendations for protecting
and enhancing the 154 mile drive. Identified are many of the
features, qualities and attractions that encourage both tourists
and long-time residents to travel this route.
- History
and Development of Great Lakes Water Craft
An interesting article on early ships found on the Great Lakes.
Of particular interest is the section entitled Small Craft
which describes the development of the smaller 'Mackinaw'
boats that were popular at Minnesota's North Shore.
- Swimming
in the Great Lakes-2008 (168 KB pdf)
Prepared by the NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC), this is a guide
to water quality at vacation beaches. Provides a list of all Great Lakes
Beaches and water quality status in 2007, also an evaluation and recommendations for
improvement of each of the Great Lake's states sewage overflow Right-to-Know
programs. Summary documents from the previous season are available for each state in the program. Here is Minnesota's 2007 summary (97 KB pdf).
For up-to-date information on Lake Superior Beaches, visit
MNBeaches.org.
- Sugarloaf - The North Shore Stewardship Association
Founded in 1993 to protect and restore Sugarloaf Cove. The North Shore Stewardship Association promotes the restoration and preservation of the entire North Shore.
Outdoor Guides for Exploring Minnesota's North Shore
- General Information Guides
- Lake Superior Drive
Provides nicely summarized information on
attractions, lodging, dining and shopping.
Each entry is accompanied
by mile marker information from Duluth
and from Sault Ste Marie. A nice feature is the map found
on the home page which can be enlarged by
clicking to reveal
a very clear and simple map that
locates the features described in the narrative, this
includes all the North Shore streams.
-
Minnesota North Shore Visitor Guide
Provides an easily navigable page for finding information
on State Parks, Lake Superior shipwrecks, outdoor
activities, fall color tours, weather and
all the usual lodging-dining-attractions information. This site also includes
a page that highlights outdoor
recreational opportunities along the North Shore.
- Explore Minnesota
Includes brief notes on Lake Superior facts, geology
and attraction's information; links to State Park
web sites, but also to numerous other Lake Superior
related sites like
Duluth Shipping News.
- Highway 61 North
An outdoor adventurer's guide to activities
found along Minnesota's North Shore. Covers
hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling horseback
riding dog sledding,
golf and more. Many links provided to service suppliers and outfitters.
- North Shore Nature
A resource for nature questions and every non-commercial recreational pursuit you want to enjoy on Minnesota’s Lake Superior North Shore. You’ll find everything you’ll need here from bird and mammal information, to park camping information and current trail conditions on the Superior Hiking Trail.
- Driving
- America's Byways
Driving guide to scenic drive sites along Lake Superiors
Minnesota's shoreline
- Superior Byways
Summarizes the driving experience along the North Shore. An interactive panel
and map allows users to explore communities and locate information centers,
historic and natural attractions, recreational opportunities and scenic views.
Includes a Communities link,
although some are non-operational at this time.
- Parks
 Ranger Paul's Favorite campsites in Minnesota
- View a video and see photos highlighting some of the beautiful camping locations in Minnesota -- including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
The State Park system along Minnesota's North Shore is the highlight that memorializes Lake
Superior's rugged shoreline landscape. The MNDNR website includes park highlights, natural
history, maps with trails, seasonal updates, camping and lodging availability, reservation
instructions, trail conditions and recreational facilities for each park.
- Fall Colors
Lists a number of Fall Color tour opportunities along the Lake Superior shoreline
and venturing inland to the geological feature known as the Sawtooths and
deep into the Superior National Forest. Each suggested trail is categorized
as an early or late season, driving or walking tour and a downloadable map
is available for each suggested trail.
- Geology and Rock Hounding
- Superior Trails
A two part guide to identifying rocks and minerals
found along the Lake Superior shoreline of Minnesota.
Each rock or mineral is described with an adjoining
image. Part one features igneous and metamorphic rocks. Part two focuses on
minerals, agates and mystery rocks.
- DNR Geology
A story on Lake Superior agates that covers
their history, their formation and clues
to finding them.
-
Lake Superior agate information
- Iron Mining
A simple description of the mining and production of Taconite pellets, much
of which is shipped out of North Shore communities.
- Basic geology
Summary of past geological events that shaped Minnesota's North Shore landscape.
- Snowmobiling
- Bicycling
- Hiking
- The Superior Hiking Trail
is one of the nation's premier trails. Explorers of this trail system
are routed along the highlands and down to the shoreline of
Lake Superior and up to the highlands again for over 200 miles.
There are a number of access points along the trail that allow
for shorter loops
and 1 - 3 mile scenic hikes.
Some of you may be interested in this user group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hiker/. It is a casual conversation about trail conditions,
backpacking trips, day hiking, hooking up for new hiking partners, slide show announcements and so on -- anything related to the Superior Hiking Trail.
- North Shore and State Park hikes
Clicking on a trail pulls-up information on location,
permits needed, length of trail, level of difficulty,
trail highlights, amenities and maps.
- North Shore waterfalls guide
Includes descriptions, locations and good imagery. Further navigation
through this web site will lead to interesting features to be found around Lake Superior.
- The North Country Trail
"Minnesota may not have the longest mileage of trail of the NCNST states, but it will have some of the finest
and most memorable, especially if and when the Arrowhead reroute takes place."
- Paddling and more
- Birding
- North Shore Birds
Summary of seasonal distribution of common and conspicuous bird types found
in State Parks adjoining Lake Superior Shoreline.
- North Shore Birds check list
- Birding events
Grand Marais hosts two birding events, one
in the spring and another in the fall.
- Fishing
- LakeSuperiorStreams
Links to organizations that provide educational information on fishing
Lake Superior and its rivers and streams.
- MN
DNR Fishing Reports
Provides up- to- date fishing reports for North Shore streams. Fishing pressure,
types of fish being caught and what lures/ baits are being successful comprise
the bulk of these almost daily reports.
- State Fishing Regulations
Also available as downloadable PDF file
- A guide to identifying Lake Superior Fish
Leads to a variety of pages on natural history and shipwreck information on
Lake Superior and other Great Lakes.
- MNDNR
Area Fisheries Offices and contact information for area managers
- Fisheries Management
MN DNR site that supplies numerous North Shore recreational fishing related
reports downloadable as PDF files. Includes Lake Superior's Fisheries Management
Plan, Rainbow Trout Management summaries, creel survey reports, trap reports
from French River and Knife River.
- Economic impacts
An interesting but dated report on the economic impact of recreational fishing
along Minnesota's North Shore.
- North
Shore Fishing Guide (2005) (590 KB pdf)
Locating
streams along Minnesota's North Shore, information
and diagrams of the various species of trout species found
in North Shore streams and access and streamside ownership.
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