Isle Royale Forums

I'm trying to determine an accurate water depth at the Todd Harbor dock. If you are going to be in the area in the next three weeks, would you be so kind as to gauge the water depth and let me know when you return?

Or, if you've already been there in the last three weeks and happen to have been swimming, etc. and have a good estimate, also let me know?

I would be most grateful.

Thanks.

There used to be a boaters brochure that spelled out the depths at each dock (relative to datum level). I looked for it at the NPS website but did not find it. The nautical chart might provide enough detail. If not, I'd call the park headquarters in Houghton, MI.

I just found this link. It's NOT the NPS website but they indicate only a 2 foot depth at the dock. I do not know what the present Superior water level is relative to the datum (the average - average).

http://www.us-parks.com/isle-royale-nat ... mping.html


And here is the Army Corps of Engineer's latest Great Lakes water levels:

http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/greatlake ... terlevels/

Looks like Superior is only 1 inch below chart datum right now.

"The Greenstone" (NPS) says 2' at "Normal Conditions". I assume that's where the other site got it's number.
You could try calling park HQ.

Yup. That's the same chart I remember.

The boaters guide you may be referring to is here: http://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/u ... 0Guide.pdf
It does not indicate dock conditions, unfortunately.

I have also seen the 2' depth referenced in various publications and cruising guides. The NOAA chart for the island (US14976) also shows the depth at 2'. However, I have encountered places elsewhere on L. Superior where winter ice or a storm has pushed slash or rocks into an area that would have previously been safe to navigate. I don't always trust charts and changes in remote location like Todd Harbor are unlikely to be reflected in any Local Notice to Mariners.

There's nothing like first-hand knowledge.

Thanks for the replies.

I knew about the boater's guide you linked to. There used to be one that had the water depth's included, but I think it was just the chart that is now on the map from The Greenstone.

Looks like an investment in a forward looking sonar unit might in the offing, assuming you don't already have one.

~Ed

Tampico wrote:I don't always trust charts and changes in remote location like Todd Harbor are unlikely to be reflected in any Local Notice to Mariners.

There's nothing like first-hand knowledge.

So true, and wise.