Image courtesy of Minnesota Sea Grant.
People concerned about dangerous currents along the South Shore of Lake Superior are invited to a free workshop on the topic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 24 at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin.
The workshop, titled, “Preparing for Dangerous Currents: A Workshop for South Shore Communities,” will provide an opportunity for community members to network and collaborate with experts in dangerous currents and water safety. Participants can also share educational resources and receive technical assistance to help ensure both residents and tourists can enjoy the beautiful coasts of Lake Superior safely.
Attendees must register by May 17. To do so, visit https://z.umn.edu/ashland or for more information about the dangerous currents workshop, contact Todd Breiby with the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, (608) 261-6349 or todd.breiby@wisconsin.gov.
Dangerous currents are a hidden but lethal hazard. They often form around islands or piers, and can be caused by winds and waves on beaches. Across the Great Lakes, an average of 11 drownings and 23 rescues happen related to dangers currents every year.
This workshop is part of a two-year project that involves a team of personnel in Wisconsin and Minnesota who are working to characterize dangerous currents along Lake Superior’s South Shore, determine if they can be forecast, and develop a framework for public safety warnings and education programs.
Funding for the project is provided by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Sea Grant programs. Other project partners include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory; the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Duluth, the Natural Resources Research Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
