Buoys active, providing vital information on Straits
The latest Michigan Tech environmental monitoring buoy was deployed in the Straits of Mackinac on May 24 and 25. Photo courtesy of Michigan Technological University.
Technology enhances safety, weather monitoring, notifications
June 15, 2022
Thunderstorms and lightning? Rocky currents and severe wind gusts?
It can happen in the Straits of Mackinac.
Those planning to enjoy the water of the Straits this summer again will have assistance in gauging the currents, incoming storms and other weather-related events.
On May 24 and 25, representatives of Michigan Tech placed a new buoy in the Straits and repositioned another. The environmental monitoring buoys in the Straits have what’s called a built-in Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler that provides real-time data on conditions in the Straits.
“We have learned over the last few years how the technologically advanced buoys vastly improve accuracy forecasting weather in the Straits,” said Mike Moeller, director of Enbridge’s Great Lakes Region. “Along with our other tools in the Straits, the data relayed from the buoys enhances our ability to monitor weather patterns in the Straits. It not only is an important part of monitoring and predicting conditions in the Straits, the buoys and data also provide a public service.”
With the operation and maintenance funded by Enbridge, the buoys increase security for coastal marine traffic, which can face extreme weather in the Great Lakes, one of the most heavily travelled waterways in North America.
“The information from the buoys benefits commercial and recreational boaters alike,” said Moeller. “The real-time data also is important to beachgoers and swimmers, helping to avoid the rip tides and currents in the Straits.”
In contrast to the large, federal buoys that report data by satellite every hour, the Michigan Tech buoys report via cellular every 10 minutes.
More than half of Michigan relies on the propane transported safely each day through Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits. Line 5 also transports the light crude oil that helps in the manufacture of more than 6,000 products used every day.
“This region relies on Line 5, and we take every precaution to help ensure it continues to operate safely,” said Moeller. “Our collaboration with Michigan Tech on the buoys reflects our commitment to the region and to safety!”
Moeller emphasized that the buoys add a layer of safety to the Straits, as will Enbridge’s construction of Great Lakes Tunnel. The Tunnel will encase in concrete a replacement section of Line 5 below the lakebed in the Straits. It will eliminate the chance of an anchor strike and reduce the chance of a release to near zero.
