Michigan Tech preparing to activate buoys in the Straits of Mackinac
Provide essential information on Straits’ weather patterns
May 3, 2023
Calm waters and blue skies can be ideal for boating. How do you know when to avoid blustery wind, pelting rain and choppy water?
The ability to obtain real-time weather data is beneficial for anyone, though especially those planning to be on the waterways of the Straits of Mackinac over the next several months.
This spring, Michigan Tech, with assistance from Enbridge, again is preparing to return two buoys to the water in the Straits. With operation and maintenance funded also by Enbridge, the buoys contain an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). The technologically advanced ADCP uses soundwaves—measuring speed and direction of currents. The buoys also have instruments that measure the local weather conditions in the Straits, reporting data cellularly every ten minutes.
“These are high-tech environmental monitoring buoys that provide real-time data regarding the weather in the Straits,” said Kate Houchard, CMRP, Enbridge area operations manager.
Information from the buoys enhances Enbridge’s monitoring capabilities at the Enbridge Maritime Operations Center (ESMOC) in St. Ignace, while providing a service to commercial boaters and recreational enthusiasts.
“The real-time information gleaned from the buoys helps Enbridge understand the weather conditions in the Straits and is beneficial to commercial and recreational boaters, as well as to swimmers, water skiers and others planning to enjoy the Straits,” said Houchard.
Houchard continued, “Adverse weather conditions in the Straits do not pose a threat to the safe operation of Line 5; however, having real-time data does contribute to our overall situational awareness. Other systems at the ESMOC and our Control Center are what we depend on to provide continuous 24/7 monitoring of the pipelines and surrounding waterways.”
In the short term, Enbridge built the ESMOC in order to reduce the possibility of vessel anchor strikes on the pipelines at the Straits.
Enbridge continues to move forward with the planned construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel which is the long-term solution to better protect the environment, Great Lakes and the people who use the precious waters.
The Tunnel will house in concrete a new section of Line 5 deep below the lakebed in the Straits. It will eliminate the chance of an anchor strike and virtually eliminate the chance of a release. Enbridge is seeking permits to begin construction.
