Harsen's Island in the News

Coast Guard, ferry service clash after five ferry shutdowns
The Voice News
By Jeri Packer, Voice Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, March 4, 2010

Friction between the U.S. Coast Guard and Clay Township was more abrasive than ever this year, as the Harsen's Island ferry experienced one interruption in service after another as ice cutters busted through the North Channel.

The first ice jam of the season occurred early, on Jan. 8, said Champions Auto Ferry owner Bob Bryson.

"There's been ice in river ever since," he said. "We've been shut down five different times by the coast guard, sometimes for one day, other times two to three days."

According to the Coast Guard, unless Mother Nature throws another curve ball, it looks like water levels are settling along the nine-mile stretch of the St. Clair River Coast Guard cutters must keep clear. Water levels north of Clay Township were rising, causing some flooding and to the south, levels were dropping by at least two feet. The Coast Guard cutters also assisted many freighters across the waterway after getting stalled in frozen waters.

Candice Miller Press Release re: Coast Guard Games

Congresswoman Candice S. Miller

Michigan’s 10th Congressional District

House Homeland Security Committee

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee


For Immediate Release

February 19, 2010Contact: Erin Sayago

202-226-4709

Deployment of Additional Coast Guard Ice Breaking Resources for Ice Jam in the St. Clair River

Miller: Assistance Cannot Come Soon Enough

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today commended the deployment of additional U.S. Coast Guard resources to complete a three to four day mission to breakup the nine mile ice jam forming in the St. Clair River by the Algonac, Harsens Island area. This ice jam is affecting the water levels north of the jam which is causing the water to rise and some flooding, and the water levels south in Lake St. Clair dropping precipitancy by at least two feet. The mission cannot begin until Monday, February 22nd while the necessary ice breaking capabilities are in transit to the ice jam site.

“This mission can’t begin soon enough, to give relief to the area and the surrounding properties, and minimize any further damage caused by this ice jam,” Miller said. “I was recently aboard the USCGC Hollyhock and saw the ice jam and its incredible size – immediate assistance is needed. Additionally, the Harsens Island Ferry service will be suspended temporarily for several days while these cutters complete their mission. This is a very unique situation and it hasn’t been since 1984 that our area has seen an ice jam of this magnitude. The condition must be addressed and the Coast Guard is on the scene working hard to address the situation.”

The mission’s operations will be preformed by the USCGC Mackinaw from Cheboygan, Michigan, the USCGC Mobile Bay from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the USCGC Neah Bay from Cleveland, Ohio and the Canadian CCGS Samuel Risley from Parry Sound, Ontario.

Tags: Harsens Island, Harsen's Island Michigan,