From: Charles Miller
Date: February 18, 2010 9:16:37 AM EST
To: "Rep. Candice S. Miller" imami10@mail.house.gov
Subject: Coast Guard Operations on the North Channel of the St. Clair River
Rep. Candice Miller:
As you know, efforts by the Coast Guard to work the ice in the St. Clair River have raised the ire of many citizens here in Clay Township and, in particular, Harsens Island because of repeated ferry closures.
Historical experience from past Coast Guard flushing efforts combined with visual observation of the current activity indicates that the attempts to flush the North Channel and Middle Channel of the St. Clair River will have marginal, if any, effect on the ice conditions in the lower river and the flats region. Unfortunately, these efforts have a major impact on reliability of the Harsens Island Ferry, our only transportation connection to the mainland.
Two primary barriers to the flushing effort exist. First, the fact that Lake St.Clair is frozen prevents surface ice movement out into the lake from the connecting channels. Second, the existing low water levels will inhibit the ability of the flushed ice to migrate under the lake ice pack, a condition not experienced during the earlier flushing attempts in the mid 1980's and late 1990's (which also occurred during the spring breakup). In essence, the Coast Guard is now presented with another version of a "perfect storm".
MODIS satellite imagery for the Lake St. Clair area shows that the Detroit River remains free of ice, and the open water extends a short distance into the lake. Given the scarcity of options, perhaps the Coast Guard might consider focusing their assets on an effort to open up a channel across Lake St. Clair using the existing ship channel. Initiating flow of ice from the bottom of the lake toward the flats would relieve back-pressure and, with time, open up that portion of the lake deep enough to handle thicker concentrations of ice. Shallower draft tugs, such as the Manitou could assist in working the channel margins to widen the pathway. Ice dams in the upper river could be addressed by the larger cutters from the U.S. and Canada as the need arises.
The Coast Guard efforts, while laudable, are counterproductive. Perhaps it is time to think out of the box.
Sincerely,
Charles Miller
President
Harsens Island St. Clair Flats Association
cmiller79@comcast.net
Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,
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