Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior
Beaver Bay |
Grand Marais |
Silver Bay | Two Harbors
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.
|