Great Lakes reopen for season; Badger steams toward debut

Chris Izworski, reporting from Bay City for the Great Lakes Gazette, observes a flurry of vessel activity as the navigation season gains momentum on this Friday. The *Alpena* arrived at Green Bay early Thursday morning, marking significant traffic resumption at a port that had been shuttered since April 18 due to elevated water levels and flow conditions. Port Director Dean Haen confirmed the reopening after nearly a month of closure, and the *Alpena's* arrival—preceded by the tug *Albert* and tank barge *Margaret*—signals confidence that conditions have stabilized enough for commercial movement. On Lake Michigan, the *Badger*, America's last coal-fired passenger steamship, lit her boilers Tuesday in preparation for her 71st sailing season. The 410-foot vessel is slated to depart Ludington for Manitowoc today—May 15—marking the official start of service for the largest car ferry on the Great Lakes. With capacity for 600 passengers and 180 vehicles, the *Badger* remains an iconic presence on the lakes despite her unique operational profile. Meanwhile, on Superior, the historic SS *Meteor*, a whaleback-hulled vessel built in 1896, prepares to celebrate her 130th birthday Sunday at Superior Museums, where she sits as a floating testament to Great Lakes maritime heritage. Water levels across the system remain elevated: Lake Michigan sits 1.93 feet above Low Water Datum, while Lake Superior registers 1.47 feet above. However, mariners should note a gale warning issued for Lake Michigan from this afternoon through late tonight, with southerly winds increasing behind departing high pressure. Lake Huron faces breezy conditions by evening, though Superior and the eastern lakes show lighter wave forecasts. These brief but sharp wind events are typical for mid-May transitions. The reopening of Green Bay and the *Badger's* seasonal debut reflect a system returning to rhythm after a winter that saw colder-than-normal conditions drive increased de-icing salt demand across the fleet. As the season unfolds, environmental stewardship remains central—Great Lakes Now's new exhibit at the National Museum in Toledo underscores how everyday actions in lakeside communities ripple into water quality, a reminder that shipping lanes are only one thread in the larger fabric of Great Lakes health.