The Algocanada arrives at the port of Green Bay Jan. 24, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Weather has affected water levels on the Bay and surrounding lakes, and that could have an impact on the shipping season.
“The next six to 12 months, the Army Corps of Engineers are forecasting water levels to remain near to slightly below normal,” said Meteorologist Mike Cellitti of the National Weather Service Green Bay.
That is thanks to the effects of El Niño.
Cellitti said, “That’s partially due to a drought that occurred early in the year that is steadily improving. It’s due to a lack of snow cover and lack of precipitation earlier in the year.”
The water levels seem to be near normal at the moment. But as levels decrease later in the year, Port of Green Bay Director Dean Haen explained how the shipments adjust.
“If we have a decrease in water level, that may mean we’ll have more ships to bring in the same amount of goods that those industries need.”
Haen shared an example of how much less cargo a ship may be allowed to carry at a time.
Let’s pick a vessel that can carry upwards of 25,000 tons into Green Bay. For every inch of water that is unavailable that isn’t there, or is there, it’s a change of about 100 tons per inch. If we’re forecasted to be down four or five inches, that’s 400 to 500 less tons that’ll be able to be carried on that vessel.
An expansion project at the mouth of the Bay is well underway. With permits secured, the port has applied for $25 million in gap funding from the United States Department of Transportation.
“In June, if we’re successful in that, you can see that project to begin construction in ’25 over ’26 and be open for business in ’27,” said Haen.
Since the new facility will be in the deepest part of the harbor, it will provide immediate rail connection with no bridges, leaving no societal impacts when a vessel transits through downtown.
To see the Great Lakes water levels forecast by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, click here. For more information about the Port of Green Bay, click here.
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