Wave action and ice take a toll on Grand Marais Lighthouse railings

As winter begins to fade from the North Shore, the effects of Lake Superior’s power emerge.

The latest impact following gale winds and winter storms is on the reinforced fencing and railing leading out to the Grand Marais Lighthouse.

After a long winter battling Lake Superior’s powerful waves and ice, a handful of the railings are wobbly, loose, or nearly parallel with the platform.

Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Kristoffer Laman with the Duluth Office of the Army Corps of Engineers told WTIP that given Lake Superior’s waves and ice sheets, damaged fencing along the North Shore is something that tends to occur frequently.

“It’s something that happens all the time,” said Laman.

Laman said the damage is presumed to be caused by “wave action” and typically due to “ice sheets that are pushed over by the wave action.”

He said the Army Corps of Engineers annually fixes damaged fencing in harbors stretching from Grand Marais to Marquette, Mich. “So we also handle harbors in the South Shore as well, and those also get beat up pretty well.”

Laman said after hearing about the damage to the fencing leading out to the Grand Marais Lighthouse, they plan to visit Grand Marais next week to make repairs.

It is safe to walk out to the Grand Marais Lighthouse, just use extra caution as the railings integrity is compromised.

Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Kalli Hawkins April 4, 2025