Grand Marais marina docks and equipment experience storm damage after latest blizzard

Kalli Hawkins | February 26, 2026

More than a week has passed since a powerful winter storm battered the North Shore, bringing high winds and ice-filled waves crashing along the Lake Superior shoreline.

At the Grand Marais Marina, the storm’s impact is still evident, highlighting the power of the big lake.

“The blizzard of 2026 is certainly something we’re going to be talking about for some time,” said Dave Tersteeg, Grand Marais parks manager.

The Feb. 18 winter storm brought 58 mph east winds to the Grand Marais harbor and ice-filled waves that caused damage to the marina docks and equipment.

The floating docks are anchored by metal pilings, which Tersteeg said were displaced and damaged along with collars that attach to the docks. The breakwall that protects the marina docks was no match for the power of Lake Superior. Tersteeg said that, with the tremendous wind and storm surge, the inner rubble-mound breakwall “really had no effect.”

Marina docks locked in ice | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

The waves, filled with large shards of ice, came over the rock breakwall, filling up the marina with ice, causing some “pretty violent movement of the docks,” he said.

The aluminum docks sit on plastic floats with wooden boards on top. Tersteeg said the commercial-grade docks are not mangled, but the majority of the damage is to the mounting hardware, including sleeves, collars, and pipes.

As of Feb. 26, the marina remains locked in ice. Tersteeg said park crews tried to minimize additional damage to the docks by removing the gangways and getting a few de-icers back into service. “We’re trying to protect our assets, but we’re in a tough spot right now.”

De-icer in action near the marina docks | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Given that the marina is frozen in ice, Tersteeg said it is hard to know the full extent of the damage. The City of Grand Marais has filed an insurance claim for the damages. However, Tersteeg said that an insurance appraisal can not be conducted until the ice thaws in the marina and the full extent of the damage is visible.

A video of the waves in the marina during the Feb. 18 winter storm is below.