Great Lakes shippers were forced to end their season early in 2000 because of low waters, but the harsh winter weather may help prevent that this year. Mich. And a cold, snowy winter in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and western Ontario will help replenish Lake Superior, he said. It is at its lowest water level since the 1920s.
Warm temperatures aid evaporation and prevent snowfalls that feed water back into the lakes.
The company had to cut its freighters' loads by 10 percent last year because of low water levels. November figures show U.S. lake vessels shipped 102.8 million tons of iron ore, coal, grain and other materials this season, up 1.4 million tons from a year earlier. But it took more trips because vessels had to be lighter to stay afloat in shallow waters. The big boats aren't the only ones affected by low water. Dock rentals also dropped, he said.