Port of Duluth. Photo from Seaway Port Authority.

By Dave Strandberg of KDAL - February 27, 2020

High water in the Great Lakes system has delayed the opening of the navigation season in the Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The delay to April 1st would allow for more outflow from the Moses-Saunders Dam to lower Lake Ontario levels.

With little ice cover this year, that section could have opened as early as March 20th and as many as 100 ship transits could occur during that 12 day period.

The Chamber of Marine Commerce is disappointed in the delay and says politicians need to work with affected businesses and stakeholders on smarter and more effective solutions for high water.

Deb DeLuca, the Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, says delayed shipments and uncertain system availability will result in lost business that may not return as shippers could seek alternative supply routes.