Why the open water in the Canal

The water current in the the canal is fairly strong, much like a small river, thus keeping the water open. It will freeze up, or get plugged up with ice, but usually doesn't last long.
In the Springtime, you will be able to see chunks of ice drifting back and forth through the canal as the current reverses several times a day due to a phenomenon called a "seiche" (SAYSH, a French word that means "to sway back and forth"). This happens when water piles up on one side of the lake because of wind or high barometric pressure and then shifts back to the other side. Small seiches occur all the time.

Spring is here!  Almost!

Ice cover - Western Lake Superior

This satellite photo taken yesterday shows near 100% coverage, but, I wouldn't want to try and walk from the North Shore to the South Shore just yet.

Lake Superior Ice Cover

The Lake Superior Ice Cover is nearing 100% - perhaps by the end of the week we will see it completely covered. Very "Cool" to say the least.

Sailboats on Ice

Soon there will be signs of Springtime in the Northland, but for now, the snow covered boats at Barkers Island Marina seem OK with the winters rest. I'm not quit sure about the boaters!

If you have a mobile device, you can view these links and get a real immersive experience by turning with the device and looking around.
http://northernimages360.com/panos/barkers1/Barkers1.html
http://northernimages360.com/panos/barkers2/Barkers2.html

Lake Superior Ice Cover

Lake Superior entirely freezes over about every 20 years.  It looks like this will be one of those years. Just when everyone was getting used to Global Warming!