The Lake Michigan water level in March 2021 is now considerably lower than experienced throughout 2020, down about one foot from the March 2020 level.
Of particular interest to me is the situation at Northport, Michigan, where I use the launch ramp and the fuel dock. The municipal marina at Northport, the G. Marsten Dame Marina, is owned by the Village of Northport. I visited the marina on March 24, 2021.
Fig. 1. Aerial view of the marina at Northport, Michigan.
At the moment the launch ramp is available for use and being used by recreational anglers with boats of 15 to 20-feet. The parking lot is finally completely ABOVE lake level. These are welcomed changes from 2020 when at various times about one-quarter of the parking lot was underwater and to reach the courtesy dock required wading out to it through several inches of water.
The Village of Northport has undertaken a substantial renovation of the main dock ("C" dock) and its fuel dock. The deck level has been raised about 16-inches. New steel I-beams have been laid atop the original steel supports, and a new wood deck surface has been laid atop the steel risers. All new electrical conduits have been installed, now well above the waterline at the main dock. New individual pedestals for power and water will be installed at each slip on the main dock and will provide 50-Ampere, 30-Ampere, or 20-Ampere 120-VAC power, as appropriate to the slip size. New PEX water lines have been installed to each adjoining slip. And new gasoline and diesel fuel pipes have been run to the fuel dock dispensing pumps from the fuel storage tanks on shore.
This work is being done under the "Northport Marina Dock Phase 1 Repair Project." The work included in this phase is:
- Raising of dock with structural steel including all bracing, bolting, and welding
- Removal and replacement of wood decking
- Temporary relocation of existing harbor master house
- New electrical service, distribution, and marina service outlets
- New domestic water plumbing
The total project cost is "just under" $600,000. The Village has funded 51-percent of the cost, and the other 49-percent has been funded by a grant from the Michigan Waterways Commission. This phase of the project is scheduled for completion in April 2021.