#it's only a lake and not an inland sea because it's freshwater

[honourablejester]

Oh, I didn’t know that.

I was listening to Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” on youtube, and browsing the comments several people mentioned …

Okay. The song is about the real sinking of the freighter the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975. And there’s a line in the song:

“In the Maritime Sailor’s Cathedral,

The Church Bell chimed till it rang twenty nine times,

For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald”

Which references something that the actual Maritime Church in Detroit did in honour of the ship’s crew. And I just found out in those youtube comments for his song that when Gordon Lightfoot died in May last year (2023), the Maritime Church rang those bells again, this time 30 times. Once for every man on the Edmund Fitzgerald, and once more for Gordon Lightfoot.

That’s … That is a memorial I would be proud to have earned. And proud to give. I do like that. A lot.

Apparently, the Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior also lit its beacon in honour of him.

Sorry. I’m having … extremely maritime sort of feelings over here. Songs and memorials, bells and beacons, and the ways we carry memory forward. That’s … that’s a good memorial. I like that.

[floridaboiler]

Things You Probably Never Knew About The Great Lakes.....

1. Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, but an inland sea .

2. All of the four other Great Lakes, plus three more the size of Lake Erie, would  fit inside of Lake Superior.

3. Isle Royale is a massive island surrounded by Lake Superior. Within this island are several smaller lakes. Yes, that’s a lake on a lake.

4. Despite its massive size, Lake Superior is an  extremely young   formation by Earth’s standards (only 10,000 years old).

5. There is enough water in Lake Superior to  submerge all of North and South America in 1 foot of water.

6. Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water (3,000,000,000,000,000). All five of the Great Lakes combined contain 6 quadrillion gallons.

7. Contained within Lake Superior is a whopping 10% of the world’s fresh surface water.

8. It’s estimated there are about 100 million lake trout   in Lake Superior. That’s nearly one-fifth of the human population of North America!

9. There are small outlets through which water leaves Lake Superior. It takes two centuries for all the water in the lake to replace itself.

10. Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake in surface area, and the smallest in depth. It’s the 11th largest lake on the planet.

11. There is alleged to be a 30- to 40-foot-long “monster” in Lake Erie named Bessie. The earliest recorded sighting goes back as early as 1793.

12. Water in Lake Erie replaces itself   in only 2.6 years, which is notable considering the water in Lake Superior takes two centuries.

13. The original publication of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax contained the line, “I hear things are just as bad up in Lake Erie.”Fourteen years later, the Ohio Sea Grant Program wrote to Seuss to make the case that conditions had improved. He removed the line.

14. Not only is lake Erie the smallest Great Lake when it comes to volume, but it’s surrounded by the most industry.Seventeen metropolitan areas, each with populations of more than 50,000, border the Lake Erie basin.

15. During the War of 1812, the U.S. beat the British in a naval battle calledthe Battle of Lake Erie, forcing them to abandon Detroit.

16. The shoreline of all the Great Lakes combined equals nearly 44% of the  circumference  of the planet.

17. If not for the the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron might be considered one lake.Hydrologically speaking, they have the same mean water level and are considered one lake.

18. The Keystone State  was one of the largest and most luxurious wooden steamships running during the Civil War.In 1861, it disappeared. In 2013, it was found 30 miles northeast of Harrisville under 175 feet of water.

19. Goderich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world. Part of it runs underneath Lake Huron, more than 500 meters underground.

20. Below Lake Huron, there are  9,000-year-old animal-herding structures   used by prehistoric people from when the water levels were significantly lower.

21. There are  massive sinkholes in Lake Huron that have high amounts of sulfur and low amounts of oxygen, almost replicating the conditions of Earth’s ancient oceans 3 million years ago. Unique ecosystems are contained within them.

22. Lake Huron is the second largest among the Great Lakes, and the  fifth largest in the world.

23.  In size, Lake Michigan ranks third among the Great Lakes, and sixth among all freshwater lakes in the world.

24. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the borders of the United States.

25. The largest fresh water sand dunes in the world line the shores of Lake Michigan.

26. Because water enters and exits Lake Michigan through the same path, it takes 77 years longer for the water to replace itself   than in Huron, despite their similarity in size and depth. (Lake Michigan: 99 years, Lake Huron: 22 years)

27. When the temperature of Lake Michigan is below freezing, this happens.

28. Within Lake Michigan there is a “triangle” with a similar reputation to the Bermuda Triangle, where a large amount of “strange disappearances” have occurred. There have also been alleged UFO sightings.

29. Singapore, Mich., is a ghost town on the shores of Lake Michigan that was buried under sand in 1871. Because of severe weather conditions and a lack of resources due to the need to rebuild after the great Chicago fire, the town was lost completely.

30. In the mid-19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem. Their booty: timber. In fact, the demise of Singapore is due in large part to the rapidly deforested area surrounding the town.

31. Jim Dreyer  swam across Lake Michigan in 1998 (65 miles), and then in 2003, he swam the length of Lake Michigan (422 miles).

32. Lake Michigan was the location of the first recorded “Big Great Lakes disaster,” in which a steamer carrying 600 people collided with a schooner delivering timber to Chicago. Four hundred and fifty people died.

33. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area, and second smallest in depth. It’s the  14th largest lake   on the planet.

34. The province Ontario was  named after   the lake, and not vice versa.

35. In 1804, a Canadian warship, His Majesty’s Ship Speedy, sank in Lake Ontario. In 1990, wreck hunter Ed Burtt managed to find it.  Only, he isn’t allowed to recover any artifacts until a government-approved site to exhibit them is found. He’s still waiting.

36. Babe Ruth hit his  first major league home run   at Hanlan’s Point Stadium in Toronto. It landed in Lake Ontario and is believed to still be there.

37. A lake on Saturn’s moon Titan is named after Lake Ontario.

[alexanderwales]

I sometimes say that I live next to the largest lake in the world, Lake Superior, which is only true depending on your definitions.

The Caspian Sea has a salinity of 1.2%, which places it at one third the salinity of ocean water. It's much larger than Lake Superior, with about five times the surface area. But is this sea actually a lake? Legally, it's not really a lake, because there were some complicated negotiations on the matter. If it were a sea instead of a lake, that would have implications, as the law of the sea is its own distinct thing. Geologically, Wikipedia assures me that it's actually a small ocean. So I'm willing to concede that the Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water, but I don't agree that it's world's largest lake.

The other big problem for Lake Superior's claim to being the largest lake is Lake Michigan-Huron. Now you might read that and think to yourself "wait, aren't those two separate lakes?" and yes, you would think that, given that they're connected only by the Straits of Mackinac. But hydrologically speaking, their levels rise and fall with each other, and that's enough for them to sometimes be counted as one lake, depending on who you ask. Combined, they have a larger surface area than Lake Superior. I don't take this seriously, and I don't think that you should either.

(And of course the largest lakes by volume are Baikal and Tanganyika, and also the Caspian Sea if you really are determined to count that as a lake. But come on, who cares about volume?)

This is not a meditation on when definitions collide with a universe which does not actually work that way. I worry you might read me talking about the lake/sea binary and think that it's about something else. I really do care about whether Lake Superior is the largest lake in the world. I want to be able to not get in a fight with someone about it if I just make that claim. But by God, I will fight that fight if I have to. And you know what, I do enjoy saying "I live next to the largest lake in the world" rather than "I live next to the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area".

I acknowledge that this is a stupid thing to care about and that definitions are made up.

But you know what, even if I am stupid, at least I can take some solace in living next to the largest lake in the world.

[paleopinesofficial]

If you added an underwater area, the thing that keeps you locked out of some areas could be water pressure! Like if you go too deep your dino doesn't want to go any further down, or your diving suit starts malfunctioning, and you need to either find a dino that can go deeper or get a better suit.

I also think it'd be funny to have at least one of the suits be one of those old timey ones with the helmet. Maybe you can only go into the water while wearing a wetsuit, like in acnh.

Also there could be new food for the aquatic "dinos" like algae and seagrass, just because I don't think that underwater herbivores would eat the same kinda plants as the terrestrial ones. Also there could be a new ranch that is at least partially underwater, because it feels mean to just shove a mosasaur into one of the pens and call it a day. Maybe the ranch is in the swamp Pippin is from, and you can find dinos in the water from the swamp, and in a nearby lake/ocean. And biomes could be like swamp, shallow water, and deep water. It could be a very large saltwater lake, kinda like the Great lakes from the USA, if you didn't want to add a whole ocean or something. Or an inland sea.

You could also separate biomes as saltwater vs freshwater if you wanna go that route

the saltwater and freshwater as biome ideas is AMAZING!!?!?! I love it!

These ideas are all great, I've passed this over to our team!

[dootznbootz]

Water Nymphs and their descendents in Dootz/Mads' bullshit :P

So I know I'm going a bit nuts on the nymph stuff so I thought I'd explain it a lil bit! :D It's long af as I have SO many thoughts. Might make a straight-up demi-god one later

Things that are true with both Nereids and Naiads descendants:

Neither can do much with and have a hard time with their opposite. AKA Freshwater vs. Saltwater. It's possible that they can get used to the opposite but they will not be able to breathe or really control it. Can control and work with some but it's...difficult and not a lot. Naiads though, CAN take out the salt in increments and eventually just get fresh water. This was usually done during very bad droughts with permission from the Nereids. This is probably one of the things that give Naiads an advantage over Nereids as Nereids can't go further inland where freshwater is and necessarily turn it into salt water. Also, Nereids are bigger and physically stronger than Naiads. That doesn't mean that they always "win". But Nereids ARE more well-known and have a better connection to the big water gods. Also, only Poseidon's children can do shit with both.

Water births! This only affects PREGNANT people with naiad blood. If the father of the child has naiad blood but the mother does not, she probably won't need to do a full water birth but probably will need more water (why more water nymphs are women) It has to be within their "water type" as well. (Salt/fresh) For naiads though, with all the different types of water sources, it is more complicated. As say, for example, if there is a drought when they are born, they probably grow up to be smaller and possibly sickly. And being born in a lake vs. stream will affect size as well. Sometimes even a pond. Usually, there are preparations to try and be near a good water source for the expecting mother. There are some times when it catches moms by surprise and they have to rush to the nearest water source. Sometimes that's a bathtub :P Possibly sickly and small baby. Kind of like how certain fish grow to be bigger because they're in a big place :D Nereids are big ladies because of the sea being BIG :D

If they end up living in a new place? It's an adjustment to that new source as the minerals are different along with the different cultures as well. However, if naiad born person is visiting and there's "business" to be done with the locals, ofc they're not gonna partake as it's not "their water". If there is a drought probably will only do stuff for their companions.

There's not necessarily a "rivalry" or fighting between nereids and naiads. It's more like a "Hi! We're cool but I will NOT go in your water. I don't like it." Both will eat fish from "the other side" though. They might just not PREFER it. If there's freshwater going into the sea, they tend to meet there but don't like "passing over".

Both are kind of "fishy"! :D Pointed ears, sharp teeth, scaled, Big Irises, usually blue/green in eye color, shimmering scales sometimes, etc. Don't necessarily have gills and I think I'll have them kind of breathe through their skin.

"What tf does it mean to be seasick?" Both are comfy on boats no matter what type of water their on 🤷

Also while all fullborn nymphs are women, there are nymph descendants that are men and still have nymph traits and abilities.

With men going to war...there's a reason why they don't move water while fighting.

I'll talk about Nereids first as there are only 50 of them and not as many children. (This is Achilles' and Thetis' time to shine)

Much more PHYSICALLY powerful and larger (Blubber also exists with real saltwater animals!) than Naiads as the sea never has "drought" (No water), and is bigger and endless. (Though Achilles, being only a demigod, could get his ass beat by a full Naiad if he's near freshwater).

Achilles can literally drink seawater and actually prefers to do this. Can breathe in it as well. And this poor boy, being Nereid-born yet still getting fresh water for baths whenever he was more inland. He would just CRY during them because it "feels wrong". He eventually gets used to it but it's sadly still uncomfortable for him :'( Toss this boy in the sea.

Achilles is actually really tall. Like towering over most of the other Achaeans as he's a demigod.

One of the reasons WHY he's so sure he can take on Scamander/Xanthos (other than rage) Why are there so many names for one individual?! is because of the whole "Nereids are more powerful physically" than beings from the river but...Achilles is NOT in his element... He's not near the sea. He's also JUST a demigod. You're not fighting a naiad-born person near the sea, you're fighting a River GOD in his element. (I know he just doesn't give a fuck but it's funny to think about him being like "Yeah, I could take him down" and getting his ass kicked)

Naiads!!! I have a lot more on them as this has more to do with the characters of the Epic Cycle, as many of them are descended from Naiads, and how Naiads interact with mortals more often (getting drinking/bathing water)

So the "gods of that specific body of water" are like the "Queen bee of a hive", Naiads are like the worker bees. The Gods are usually at the very source of the water and "are the water" themselves. Naiads do a lot of the "work" though. Naiads will ask for help if they feel they need to or if the god is angry enough.

While Nereids almost all look identical in many ways. (same parents) Naiads from place to place absolutely vary. All sorts of body, hair, eye, etc. types based on the water you were born in! Especially if the father doesn't have any naiad blood in them. The more Naiad blood in you, the more you are like the water you were born in. The More WATER you are. The more "Human" your parents are, the more likely water will not affect your appearance.

Born in Rapids from a long, medium-width river? Probably curly (rapids being wild) and light hair color (the white moving water) with a tall and "medium" body. Born in a very clear, calm lake that's very deep and has a lot of red clay? Straight red hair with a chubbier body typer. Born in the murky, calm, short, creek? Probably smaller framed, with straight dark hair. You get the idea! :D

If, for example, a full-blooded naiad gets with a man who is half-naiad, it's not uncommon for your child to come out with some "impossible" appearance. Two black-haired parents can give birth to a blond baby if born in a certain place simply because of the WATER. This doesn't affect personality though.

Also, Naiads CAN go from place to place as long as it's the same region and similar water! River, stream, lake, fountain, and it's not too uncomfortable if it's in the same region (same minerals help!)

Full-blooded Naiads live in the water basically at all times but ofc, it's not like they don't marry and live with their new spouse. Though they should spend SOME time every day in the water. While it's harder for them to get dehydrated, it's still possible. Also, it feels nice! :D

If you're a mortal person who's now married to a naiad-born, you BETTER have easy access for them to get to water or then they'll probably leave you. :P Though sometimes nymphs have flings and just have their children be raised as a naiad but that depends on the place. Not ALL can live among mortals or then who'd do river stuff! :D

Different places have different customs with naiads and even with how much interaction happens. Culture usually somewhat resembles the culture of the region in general as well. Sometimes even depends on the wildlife and water type. Activities with River Naiads are different than the activities done for the Pond Naiads :D

With mortal interactions for example as well, Sparta is a place where nearly half the nobility are in some way descended from Naiads and literally can walk up to a nymph for help and most likely get it and offerings are more like "gifts" as they have more "friendship" there. While Ithaca has basically NO ONE descended from them and has to give offerings and sacrifices as required for example. (Odysseus is only so close to those naiads mentioned in the Odyssey because they become new sister-in-laws for him through Penelope. They're Telemachus' aunties >:D )

Mortals will even make man-made sources of water if the Naiads need more room/water sources. Or if there's a drought, may ask the royalty for help in possibly speaking to the Nereids if they can have some to change into freshwater... It's a partnership in most cases.

Even if the relationship between the people and nymphs is good, sometimes shit happens. If they are "mad" at the people for whatever reason or maybe weak from something themselves, they usually will head up the river/stream and...leave the people to deal with the water until they get their offerings or their strength back. Even non-humans make mistakes/get weak also sometimes.

And if someone is killed by a nymph?? Do you actually want to avenge them if it means you won't have access to water without some other sacrifice?? All those asshats that always need to take a piss off the piers and fishing docks and into the water would be killed on sight btw

Full-blooded Naiad Wife (Like Periboea): Can sense bad water as soon as it comes near them. Knows from what source it is from. Can tell what is causing it. Can purify with no problems. Can water bend a lot. Can live underwater without leaving it ever to get "air". Should have a "dip" in the water a few times a day. Usually pretty "ingrained" into their original region. It's dumb to try and bring her to a new place full-time. Can heal wounds AND probably sickness. Pointed ears, sharp teeth, large pupils, some scales, etc.

3/4 blooded person (Like Penelope and her siblings): Basically the same as above except for minor things. One difference is that if there is bad water, they usually can tell what's causing it but maybe not the specifics (i.e. Knows that there's a dead animal contaminating the water but might not be able to know what exact TYPE of animal.) Can water bend a lot as well but probably not the entire river. Has to be in the water at least ONCE a day. Can stay underwater for around a week until it starts being "uncomfortable". Can leave the region and adjust to other waters (though it'll probably still be uncomfortable at first) Can heal wounds and sickness (some naiad-born are more talented than others) Pointed ears, sharp teeth, big irises, not nearly as many scales but probably some, etc., and can be affected by dad's genetics but are definitely more affected by the water they were born in for an appearance.

1/2 blooded person (Like Tyndarius, Icarius, and Hippocoon): This is where the changes really start. Can't sense bad water until they touch it. Can "move the water" but not as much or as efficiently. Should take a dip once a day but CAN go without for 2 days until they start getting uncomfortable. Can only be underwater for around 1-3 days (depending on, some spend more time in the water than others) before needing oxygen from the air. Prefer not to be in seawater but CAN without feeling "too wrong". Only slightly pointed ears and while they have sharp teeth, they can smile without scaring people not familiar with it.

1/4 blooded person (Like Clytemnestra): Usually have to actually TASTE the water before they can tell it's bad. If they practice a lot they can maybe use a bathtub full of water :D. Only slightly pointed ears. can maybe stay underwater for 1 day with practice. can go a week without a few days without a "dip" in the water. Can go in the ocean with just an "...Ew."

Control group, with no naiad blood: "I'm just going to take a sip of water...Why tummy hurt? Say sike right now."

"Why don't men in the armies who are descended from Naiads use their abilities during wars?"

...Because local river gods don't let them. :D

"Look, you can drink from my waters and even fight with it for minor scuffles but don't involve me in your wars! >:( Be thankful I'm letting you have water to drink and bath with, you dipshits!"

I mean with how Scamander reacted to his river getting fucked up from all the blood and bodies??? Achilles fucked around and found out.

Rambling and maybe a bit silly but let me know what y'all think! :D

[script-a-world]

Submitted via Google Form:

How big can a desert oasis be? I know the Nile river delta is massive but how much bigger can it get? I'd like to have one half the area of Egypt. What also needs to be done about the rivers that flow into them?

Tex: An oasis has a geological underpinning that is man-made in its longevity (Wikipedia), so I suppose they’re only as large as they need to be. Some factors in that include amount of irrigation, size of the underlying water table, how long you can travel from one oasis to another before running out of water, and mode of transportation that typically dictates rate of travel. By definition, an oasis resides in a desert. If something is large enough to cover, as you say, half of Egypt, then the resulting changes in the local environment might create a temperate climate rather than an arid one. Rivers are part and parcel with sedimentary or metamorphic rocks because of its more porous nature than igneous rock, and are the surface-visible part of water movement that also works underground through things like water tables/aquifers.

Licorice: Apparently the largest oasis in our world is 33 square miles. It has four cities and 22 villages. It's in Saudi Arabia and it's called Al-Ahsa. Al-Ahsa_Oasis (Wiki)

I think it might all be a question of scale. An oasis half the size of Egypt wouldn’t be an oasis in the Sahara desert, but if your desert took up half your planet, then that huge oasis might be considered an oasis.

Utuabzu: The exact definition of oasis gets a little fuzzy, since it’s not super clear at what point your lake becomes an inland sea. But an oasis is typically a body of water formed by upwelling groundwater - generally from an artesian basin of some kind - in an otherwise arid environment. They can range in size from a glorified puddle to the one Licorice mentioned, and they’re not necessarily permanent features on the landscape. Plenty of oases are seasonal, only present when the groundwater has risen due to rains elsewhere and vanishing again once the water table drops.

You mentioned the Nile Delta, which is not an oasis. I suspect you may have meant the Fayum, which is a body of water formed by a branch of the Nile entering an endorheic basin - a watershed that cannot empty to the sea because it is too high on all sides - and has been and remains a very agriculturally productive region of Egypt. Endorheic basins can also produce what are called inland deltas, where a river fans out into a large wetland at the bottom of the basin, as it is unable to reach the sea and does not have high enough water flow to flood the basin and create a lake or inland sea. Examples of this include the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Sistan Delta in Iran and Afghanistan. More commonly endorheic basins have lakes (often salt lakes) or saltpans at their lowest points, and small or intermittent to non-existent waterways.

If we take what you want to be a region approximately the size of Egypt with a river that ends in a delta but does not flow into the sea, surrounded by desert, then that is possible. The Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers flow through the Central Asian deserts and steppe to empty into the Aral Sea, which is an endorheic basin that once housed an enormous freshwater lake.* The region between these two rivers - called Transoxiana in classical sources - has been home to a chain of vibrant, prosperous civilisations and a vast diversity of peoples and cultures. So if you want to have a big river run through a desert and empty either into a lake or an inland delta, so long as you know where the water is coming from - the Syr Darya and Amu Darya are fed by snowmelt from the Hindu Kush and Tian Shan mountains, while the White Nile, which is the source of the Nile floods, rises in the Ethiopian Highlands and is fed by the wet season rains there - then there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t. Far stranger things exist in real life.

*Soviet hydroengineering has resulted in the Aral Sea all but drying up, causing immense ecological damage to Central Asia.

[ultrajaphunter]

Things You Probably Never Knew About The Great Lakes.....

1. Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, but an inland sea .

2. All of the four other Great Lakes, plus three more the size of Lake Erie, would fit inside of Lake Superior.

3. Isle Royale is a massive island surrounded by Lake Superior. Within this island are several smaller lakes. Yes, that’s a lake on a lake.

4. Despite its massive size, Lake Superior is an extremely young formation by Earth’s standards (only 10,000 years old).

5. There is enough water in Lake Superior to submerge all of North and South America in 1 foot of water.

6. Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water (3,000,000,000,000,000). All five of the Great Lakes combined contain 6 quadrillion gallons.

7. Contained within Lake Superior is a whopping 10% of the world’s fresh surface water.

8. It’s estimated there are about 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior. That’s nearly one-fifth of the human population of North America!

9. There are small outlets through which water leaves Lake Superior. It takes two centuries for all the water in the lake to replace itself.

10. Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake in surface area, and the smallest in depth. It’s the 11th largest lake on the planet.

11. There is alleged to be a 30- to 40-foot-long “monster” in Lake Erie named Bessie. The earliest recorded sighting goes back as early as 1793.

12. Water in Lake Erie replaces itself in only 2.6 years, which is notable considering the water in Lake Superior takes two centuries.

13. The original publication of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax contained the line, “I hear things are just as bad up in Lake Erie.”

Fourteen years later, the Ohio Sea Grant Program wrote to Seuss to make the case that conditions had improved. He removed the line.

14. Not only is lake Erie the smallest Great Lake when it comes to volume, but it’s surrounded by the most industry.

Seventeen metropolitan areas, each with populations of more than 50,000, border the Lake Erie basin.

15. During the War of 1812, the U.S. beat the British in a naval battle called

the Battle of Lake Erie, forcing them to abandon Detroit.

16. The shoreline of all the Great Lakes combined equals nearly 44% of the circumference of the planet.

17. If not for the the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron might be considered one lake.

Hydrologically speaking, they have the same mean water level and are considered one lake.

18. The Keystone State was one of the largest and most luxurious wooden steamships running during the Civil War.

In 1861, it disappeared. In 2013, it was found 30 miles northeast of Harrisville under 175 feet of water.

19. Goderich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world. Part of it runs underneath Lake Huron, more than 500 meters underground.

20. Below Lake Huron, there are 9,000-year-old animal-herding structures used by prehistoric people from when the water levels were significantly lower.

21. There are massive sinkholes in Lake Huron that have high amounts of sulfur and low amounts of oxygen, almost replicating the conditions of Earth’s ancient oceans 3 million years ago. Unique ecosystems are contained within them.

22. Lake Huron is the second largest among the Great Lakes, and the fifth largest in the world.

23. In size, Lake Michigan ranks third among the Great Lakes, and sixth among all freshwater lakes in the world.

24. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the borders of the United States.

25. The largest fresh water sand dunes in the world line the shores of Lake Michigan.

26. Because water enters and exits Lake Michigan through the same path, it takes 77 years longer for the water to replace itself than in Huron, despite their similarity in size and depth. (Lake Michigan: 99 years, Lake Huron: 22 years)

27. When the temperature of Lake Michigan is below freezing, this happens.

28. Within Lake Michigan there is a “triangle” with a similar reputation to the Bermuda Triangle, where a large amount of “strange disappearances” have occurred. There have also been alleged UFO sightings.

29. Singapore, Mich., is a ghost town on the shores of Lake Michigan that was buried under sand in 1871. Because of severe weather conditions and a lack of resources due to the need to rebuild after the great Chicago fire, the town was lost completely.

30. In the mid-19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem. Their booty: timber. In fact, the demise of Singapore is due in large part to the rapidly deforested area surrounding the town.

31. Jim Dreyer swam across Lake Michigan in 1998 (65 miles), and then in 2003, he swam the length of Lake Michigan (422 miles).

32. Lake Michigan was the location of the first recorded “Big Great Lakes disaster,” in which a steamer carrying 600 people collided with a schooner delivering timber to Chicago. Four hundred and fifty people died.

33. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area, and second smallest in depth. It’s the 14th largest lake on the planet.

34. The province Ontario was named after the lake, and not vice versa.

35. In 1804, a Canadian warship, His Majesty’s Ship Speedy, sank in Lake Ontario. In 1990, wreck hunter Ed Burtt managed to find it.

Only, he isn’t allowed to recover any artifacts until a government-approved site to exhibit them is found. He’s still waiting.

36. Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run at Hanlan’s Point Stadium in Toronto. It landed in Lake Ontario and is believed to still be there.

37. A lake on Saturn’s moon Titan is named after Lake Ontario.

[cedarboughs]

Hiking Journal: The West Coast Trail

Day V: Crabshack Blues

September 1

Cribs Creek to Tsusiat Falls

The new month, not that such things had any meaning on the Trail, dawned in a thick fog. We couldn’t even see the Cribs rising at the shore as we packed up the tents. The trees were painted in a gentle newly faded palette, though the myriad flotsam bouys still coloured every branch around the campsite.

When we clambered up onto the rock to trek along the Cribs, leaping sea lions appeared like sleek silver ghosts arcing through the waves.

Please appreciate this video because it took like twenty minutes to upload. And, you know, four days of hiking to shoot, but that’s further in the past right now. The buffering is present.

The first starfish!

The morning trail passed through many small pockets of Ditidaht land. Past the cute cabins of Clo-ose village, along a hard climb, an old sewing machine rusts beside the trail.

Boardwalks and bridges are wonderfully maintained and easy to walk here, or should be, but I guess the sum of kilometres was beginning to wear on me. I faded quickly here, needing what seemed like an embarrassing volume of snacks and rest to maintain the energy to walk. It was a relief to at last see the waters of Nitinaht Narrows.

This tidal connection of lake to sea is more or less the halfway point of the West Coast Trail. A ferry bridges the gap as well as taking people in and out of the village of Nitinaht an hour’s putter inland up the lake if they only wanted to trek half of the route. I would have been tempted, but that was a decision to make after I was full of crabmeat.

The ferry dock also serves the freshest, best, least freeze-dried meals on the whole Trail. A freshwater giant Dungeness crab, the only ones in the world, fished out of the lake within the hour of service, will set a trekker back eighty-five dollars, but when else will you have a meal like this? Money isn’t a real concept on the Trail anyway. We got salmon, too.

While we waited on our order, “Hippie Doug,” who’s been the ferryman for almost fifty years, showed us his photos.

Our table at the crabshack was like a reunion of our northbound group. F—— and S——- were there, along with C—— and another of her fellow Regina nurses whose name I can’t remember and it doesn’t matter since I’m censoring them like a nineteenth-century novel anyway. The “Sema Four” had come up from Portland. Apparently one of the couples who as trying to teach the semaphore alphabet to the other. The Sema Four were staying at the crabshack tonight along with the nurses. It sounded like it would be a good party. Sure, it was forty dollars per tent and the tents would be crammed in side by side on the porch; on the other hand, it was another hard, muddy, inland seven kilometres to the next campsite at Tsusiat Falls.

And that's how the drama began.

Mom didn't want to carry on, but wouldn't insist on it. Dad didn't want to spend eighty bucks on a likely sleepless night. A few scattered words went back and forth, but to no avail. Even tually, newly full of crab energy (at least I was,) we shouldered packs and moved on.

The ferry ride across the channel was nice. Hippie Doug pointed out the fleeing hind legs and tail of a river otter disappearing up the north bank into the bush.

But north of the bank the vibes quickly turned rancid. Mom marched ahead without waiting, checking, or stopping, a passive agressive (though not especially passive) sort of expression of an easily parsable sentiment: you wanted to go, so we’re going, and that means going ceaselessly forward without help or advice or patience, not even where bridges are entirely collapsed down treacherous slopes. No waiting to stick together even to put gaiters on before plowing forth past shin-deep mud patches. When we caught up, it was to disparaging remarks about our speed, and we trudged on in terse bitter silence. I desperately wanted to make peace, but it was hard to find neutral ground. We needed time, but time the way we were going was just making everyone more exhausted.

I managed a few good words of accord before the return to the beach, four gruelling inland kilometres past the crabshack. It was still a long misty beach trek to Tsusiat. Somewhere there, though, we passed the flip of the two sided map. Whatever happened now, and however impossible the first few days had seemed, it was beyond any doubt or question now that we were in the latter half in the trek, going out. From here on or likely earlier, every step no longer took us deeper into the wild, but took us closer to the comforts of the grid.

Some writing says that the “Hole in the Rock” is the most iconic view on the Trail. I don’t know how it ranks personally — it’s not visible from very far away, compared to the wide arc of Carmanah or the slope of the Cribs — but it’s a cool spot for sure. The tide was too high to pass through the south-side surge channel and climb or circle around to the hole, but we could double back from the north and stand beneath the natural arch, nearly lapped by water on either side.

It was a joy to see the coloured tents of Tsusiat down the beach. This is a beautiful campsite tucked below towering sandstone cliffs. Water is collected for dinner boiling beneath a grand waterfall.

[cuzikan]

Things You Probably Never Knew About The Great Lakes.....

1. Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, but an inland sea .

2. All of the four other Great Lakes, plus three more the size of Lake Erie, would fit inside of Lake Superior.

3. Isle Royale is a massive island surrounded by Lake Superior. Within this island are several smaller lakes. Yes, that’s a lake on a lake.

4. Despite its massive size, Lake Superior is an extremely young formation by Earth’s standards (only 10,000 years old).

5. There is enough water in Lake Superior to submerge all of North and South America in 1 foot of water.

6. Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water (3,000,000,000,000,000). All five of the Great Lakes combined contain 6 quadrillion gallons.

7. Contained within Lake Superior is a whopping 10% of the world’s fresh surface water.

8. It’s estimated there are about 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior. That’s nearly one-fifth of the human population of North America!

9. There are small outlets through which water leaves Lake Superior. It takes two centuries for all the water in the lake to replace itself.

10. Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake in surface area, and the smallest in depth. It’s the 11th largest lake on the planet.

11. There is alleged to be a 30- to 40-foot-long “monster” in Lake Erie named Bessie. The earliest recorded sighting goes back as early as 1793.

12. Water in Lake Erie replaces itself in only 2.6 years, which is notable considering the water in Lake Superior takes two centuries.

13. The original publication of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax contained the line, “I hear things are just as bad up in Lake Erie.”

Fourteen years later, the Ohio Sea Grant Program wrote to Seuss to make the case that conditions had improved. He removed the line.

14. Not only is lake Erie the smallest Great Lake when it comes to volume, but it’s surrounded by the most industry.

Seventeen metropolitan areas, each with populations of more than 50,000, border the Lake Erie basin.

15. During the War of 1812, the U.S. beat the British in a naval battle called

the Battle of Lake Erie, forcing them to abandon Detroit.

16. The shoreline of all the Great Lakes combined equals nearly 44% of the circumference of the planet.

17. If not for the the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron might be considered one lake.

Hydrologically speaking, they have the same mean water level and are considered one lake.

18. The Keystone State was one of the largest and most luxurious wooden steamships running during the Civil War.

In 1861, it disappeared. In 2013, it was found 30 miles northeast of Harrisville under 175 feet of water.

19. Goderich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world. Part of it runs underneath Lake Huron, more than 500 meters underground.

20. Below Lake Huron, there are 9,000-year-old animal-herding structures used by prehistoric people from when the water levels were significantly lower.

21. There are massive sinkholes in Lake Huron that have high amounts of sulfur and low amounts of oxygen, almost replicating the conditions of Earth’s ancient oceans 3 million years ago. Unique ecosystems are contained within them.

22. Lake Huron is the second largest among the Great Lakes, and the fifth largest in the world.

23. In size, Lake Michigan ranks third among the Great Lakes, and sixth among all freshwater lakes in the world.

24. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the borders of the United States.

25. The largest fresh water sand dunes in the world line the shores of Lake Michigan.

26. Because water enters and exits Lake Michigan through the same path, it takes 77 years longer for the water to replace itself than in Huron, despite their similarity in size and depth. (Lake Michigan: 99 years, Lake Huron: 22 years)

27. When the temperature of Lake Michigan is below freezing, this happens.

28. Within Lake Michigan there is a “triangle” with a similar reputation to the Bermuda Triangle, where a large amount of “strange disappearances” have occurred. There have also been alleged UFO sightings.

29. Singapore, Mich., is a ghost town on the shores of Lake Michigan that was buried under sand in 1871. Because of severe weather conditions and a lack of resources due to the need to rebuild after the great Chicago fire, the town was lost completely.

30. In the mid-19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem. Their booty: timber. In fact, the demise of Singapore is due in large part to the rapidly deforested area surrounding the town.

31. Jim Dreyer swam across Lake Michigan in 1998 (65 miles), and then in 2003, he swam the length of Lake Michigan (422 miles).

32. Lake Michigan was the location of the first recorded “Big Great Lakes disaster,” in which a steamer carrying 600 people collided with a schooner delivering timber to Chicago. Four hundred and fifty people died.

33. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area, and second smallest in depth. It’s the 14th largest lake on the planet.

34. The province Ontario was named after the lake, and not vice versa.

35. In 1804, a Canadian warship, His Majesty’s Ship Speedy, sank in Lake Ontario. In 1990, wreck hunter Ed Burtt managed to find it.

Only, he isn’t allowed to recover any artifacts until a government-approved site to exhibit them is found. He’s still waiting.

36. Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run at Hanlan’s Point Stadium in Toronto. It landed in Lake Ontario and is believed to still be there.

37. A lake on Saturn’s moon Titan is named after Lake Ontario.

[sethshead]

"Things You Probably Never Knew About The Great Lakes.....

"1. Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, but an inland sea .

"2. All of the four other Great Lakes, plus three more the size of Lake Erie, would fit inside of Lake Superior.

"3. Isle Royale is a massive island surrounded by Lake Superior. Within this island are several smaller lakes. Yes, that’s a lake on a lake.

"4. Despite its massive size, Lake Superior is an extremely young formation by Earth’s standards (only 10,000 years old).

"5. There is enough water in Lake Superior to submerge all of North and South America in 1 foot of water.

"6. Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water (3,000,000,000,000,000). All five of the Great Lakes combined contain 6 quadrillion gallons.

"7. Contained within Lake Superior is a whopping 10% of the world’s fresh surface water.

"8. It’s estimated there are about 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior. That’s nearly one-fifth of the human population of North America!

"9. There are small outlets through which water leaves Lake Superior. It takes two centuries for all the water in the lake to replace itself.

"10. Lake Erie is the fourth-largest Great Lake in surface area, and the smallest in depth. It’s the 11th largest lake on the planet.

"11. There is alleged to be a 30- to 40-foot-long 'monster' in Lake Erie named Bessie. The earliest recorded sighting goes back as early as 1793.

"12. Water in Lake Erie replaces itself in only 2.6 years, which is notable considering the water in Lake Superior takes two centuries.

"13. The original publication of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax contained the line, 'I hear things are just as bad up in Lake Erie.'

"Fourteen years later, the Ohio Sea Grant Program wrote to Seuss to make the case that conditions had improved. He removed the line.

"14. Not only is lake Erie the smallest Great Lake when it comes to volume, but it’s surrounded by the most industry.

"Seventeen metropolitan areas, each with populations of more than 50,000, border the Lake Erie basin.

"15. During the War of 1812, the U.S. beat the British in a naval battle called the Battle of Lake Erie, forcing them to abandon Detroit.

"16. The shoreline of all the Great Lakes combined equals nearly 44% of the circumference of the planet.

"17. If not for the the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron might be considered one lake.

"Hydrologically speaking, they have the same mean water level and are considered one lake.

"18. The Keystone State was one of the largest and most luxurious wooden steamships running during the Civil War.

"In 1861, it disappeared. In 2013, it was found 30 miles northeast of Harrisville under 175 feet of water.

"19. Goderich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world. Part of it runs underneath Lake Huron, more than 500 meters underground.

"20. Below Lake Huron, there are 9,000-year-old animal-herding structures used by prehistoric people from when the water levels were significantly lower.

"21. There are massive sinkholes in Lake Huron that have high amounts of sulfur and low amounts of oxygen, almost replicating the conditions of Earth’s ancient oceans 3 million years ago. Unique ecosystems are contained within them.

"22. Lake Huron is the second largest among the Great Lakes, and the fifth largest in the world.

"23. In size, Lake Michigan ranks third among the Great Lakes, and sixth among all freshwater lakes in the world.

"24. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is entirely within the borders of the United States.

"25. The largest fresh water sand dunes in the world line the shores of Lake Michigan.

"26. Because water enters and exits Lake Michigan through the same path, it takes 77 years longer for the water to replace itself than in Huron, despite their similarity in size and depth. (Lake Michigan: 99 years, Lake Huron: 22 years)

"27. When the temperature of Lake Michigan is below freezing, this happens.

"28. Within Lake Michigan there is a 'triangle' with a similar reputation to the Bermuda Triangle, where a large amount of 'strange disappearances' have occurred. There have also been alleged UFO sightings.

"29. Singapore, Mich., is a ghost town on the shores of Lake Michigan that was buried under sand in 1871. Because of severe weather conditions and a lack of resources due to the need to rebuild after the great Chicago fire, the town was lost completely.

"30. In the mid-19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem. Their booty: timber. In fact, the demise of Singapore is due in large part to the rapidly deforested area surrounding the town.

"31. Jim Dreyer swam across Lake Michigan in 1998 (65 miles), and then in 2003, he swam the length of Lake Michigan (422 miles).

"32. Lake Michigan was the location of the first recorded 'Big Great Lakes disaster,' in which a steamer carrying 600 people collided with a schooner delivering timber to Chicago. Four hundred and fifty people died.

"33. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area, and second smallest in depth. It’s the 14th largest lake on the planet.

"34. The province Ontario was named after the lake, and not vice versa.

"35. In 1804, a Canadian warship, His Majesty’s Ship Speedy, sank in Lake Ontario. In 1990, wreck hunter Ed Burtt managed to find it.

"Only, he isn’t allowed to recover any artifacts until a government-approved site to exhibit them is found. He’s still waiting.

"36. Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run at Hanlan’s Point Stadium in Toronto. It landed in Lake Ontario and is believed to still be there.

"37. A lake on Saturn’s moon Titan is named after Lake Ontario."

h/t Sophia Clark

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

Sounding out the naval barge on Seneca Lake

By Jonathan Monfiletto

The next time you are driving along Seneca Lake, on State Route 414 along the eastern shore or – if you are traveling through Yates County – State Route 14 along the western shore, gaze into the middle of the lake and see if you find an interesting-looking platform floating on the surface. It shouldn’t be too hard to find, but you might wonder just what you are looking at.

This platform is, in fact, a barge anchored in the middle of Seneca Lake off the shore at Dresden. Indeed, the operation is officially known as the Seneca Lake Sonar Test Facility under the auspices of the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center of Newport, Rhode Island. Though it appears only civilian employees work there and no military personnel are stationed there, one could say this facility represents the only presence of the U.S. Navy existing in the Finger Lakes.

According to its website, the Seneca Lake Sonar Test Facility does just that – performing tests and evaluations of equipment to include sonar arrays and systems – and is known for its massive lift and power capabilities. Acoustic testing professionals carry out tests on systems and equipment of all sizes, even an entire sonar suite mounted in its sonar compartment.

Because it is a deep freshwater lake that is open all year, Seneca Lake is the Navy’s primary site for active instrumented calibration and testing. The fairly constant and predictable weather and water conditions of Seneca Lake also make it a choice testing site. It is known for its testing and evaluation of major projects that require relatively deep water with fixed underwater geometry and capabilities for heavy load-handling and electrical power.

Located about a mile and a half from the Dresden shore, the facility consists of two barges – the Systems Measurement Platform and the Remote Calibration Platform – that are the primary measurement and calibration resources. Two equipment-handling barges and numerous transport boats serve the facility, and there are machining and fabrication capabilities on the site to repair or manufacture the equipment and gear being tested.

The facility has been used by the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, universities, foreign governments, state and local agencies, and private industry. And it has been a part of the Dresden landscape and lakeshore for more than 60 years.

It all began in November 1961, when the original barge – a converted oil tanker measuring 165 feet long and 36 feet long – arrived in Seneca Lake from Miami, via the inland waterway, Hudson River, and Barge Canal. During the heyday of the Cold War, as America furthered its research and development of anti-submarine warfare, the barge was purposed to test advanced sonar equipment designed to detect underwater craft. The barge was a key unit in establishing an anti-submarine acoustics research facility, headed by General Dynamics/Electronics.

The company leased a site at Dresden that provided 180 feet of lakefront – with construction of docking and service facilities to begin soon, according to an October 1961 newspaper article – along with a county road serving the property that would allow access to the facility throughout the year. Seneca Lake was chosen because its 600-foot depth makes it one of the deepest lakes in the country and – with the exception of the Great Lakes – the deepest lake with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. It also has temperature gradients similar to those in the Atlantic Ocean, meaning sonar tests could be correlated to ocean conditions. The waves on the lake aren’t high enough to interfere with barge operations, and since the lake rarely freezes tests can be conducted throughout the year.

The original barge was equipped with a diesel-driven, 200-kilowatt generator to supply electric power to its electronic equipment, a capacity that was later increased to 400 kilowatts. The barge’s hulls had several ballast tanks, with water pumped out of or into the tanks to raise or lower the height of the deck above water.

Initially, the barge was designed to test then-recently-developed transducers weighing as much as 35 tons. These transducers convert electrical energy into acoustic energy, sending sound signals through the water that bounce off an intended target with an echo that can be recorded and analyzed. For test operations, the barge was to be manned by three engineers working under the direction of a manager.

In 1965, the Navy began leasing the Dresden Marina – with 4.5 acres of land and 900 feet of lakefront – for $20,000 per year with an option to buy the marina for $125,000. As a result of this move, owners of boats and crafts docked at the marina were forced to remove them from the marina and find new facilities to store them. Those with mobile homes located on the hill above the docks also had to vacate the premises. Another result was the Navy expanding its research facilities on Seneca Lake through an investment of $500,000. The improvements included completely fencing in the installation since much of its research work dealing with sound and sonar equipment is classified.

An undated newspaper article – handwritten with “1967,” though the exact date is unclear – indicates the Navy bought the marina a couple of years later for $166,000 and took it over outright. That year, Albert Gatthardt, of the Washington Naval Research Center, spoke before a jointing meeting of the Seneca Falls and Waterloo Rotary Clubs and detailed the history of the Naval Research Laboratory and its recent developments and improvements.

Alternately known as the Seneca Underwater Test and Evaluation Center, the facility was profiled in a July 1968 newspaper article on the occasion of the barge’s conversion from diesel power generated aboard to being powered by an electrical cable from the shore. The change permitted the barge – referred to in the article as DARIUS, though it is unclear what that stands for – to test the largest underwater sonar sound sources.

The following year, the Navy announced a $2.2 million expansion of the research facility on Seneca Lake, making it “the newest, largest, and best underwater research center in the country.” Plans called for using the existing barges plus a new systems measurement platform measuring 195 feet long, 120 feet wide, and 9 and a half feet deep, with a crane capable of lifting 200 tons. The expansion would continue the Navy’s research into sound transmission, travel, and reception underwater, light transmission and reception, underwater radio communications, development of new oceanographic tools and techniques, and underwater tests in the field physics.

As of February 1969, the facility employed eight permanent employees – a number expanded by 10 or 20 visiting technicians, engineers, and scientists. With the expansion anticipated to finish in the summer of 1970, plans called for 15 permanent employees with a capacity for 40 people visiting and working on the site.

By September 1970, work on the expansion had fallen behind but was mostly complete, and the facility continued testing equipment on Seneca Lake. More than 50 years later, the Navy still has a presence in the Finger Lakes, and it is one you can see from the road or the shore.

[authoratmidnight]

Lake Superior is the largest, deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. The deepest parts of the lake reach over 1000 feet deep!

Because it is so deep and big it is also COLD. Frigidly so. And when you go deep down it only gets colder. Like, almost freezing levels of cold (39 °F/4 °C).

When it storms the waves can regularly, and easily reach heights of 20ft tall (and ones as large as 30 ft have been recorded).

The song above is about a real shipwreck that happened on November 10, 1975. While we still don't definitively know what happened to sink her(as all hands were lost), the ship was found split in two on the lake bottom, over 500 feet down and the halves are over 100 feet apart.

Oh, and the line "the lake it is said never gives up her head"? Is very, VERY literal. Remember that cold as hell water temperature I mentioned earlier? It is LITERALLY so cold that the bacteria that would cause decomp and thus cause bodies to float to the surface, literally can't survive! Let that sink in, it's so cold down there that bodies at the bottom CAN'T DECAY. Which means they're staying down there.

All the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald are still down there.

This lake is an unfathomly large and cold monster, if you sink into her depths you are NOT coming back.

The other thing her size does is give her ocean like weather patterns. Massive storms that whip up very fast. Except, it IS still a lake so you may not have the space (or even time) to go around the storm. Changing course by a few miles on the ocean is all well and good, but doing so on the lake could cause you to run aground, or worse.

You don't mess with any of the Great Lakes, but you especially do not mess with Lake Superior.

Also, if there was ANY doubt that this lake, out of any of them, was basically an inland, freshwater sea, her Ojibwe name is Gitchi-Gami, literally, 'Great Sea'.

[nathfiset]

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Seattle Washington

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Seattle Washington

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, located in Seattle, Washington, are a marvel of engineering and a testament to the spirit of human ingenuity. Built in the early 1900s, these locks were the first of their kind in the region and have been an integral part of Seattle's maritime industry since their inception. Named after Hiram M. Chittenden, a civil engineer who played a crucial role in the construction of the locks, this iconic landmark has become a must-see destination for tourists and locals alike.In this blog post, we will delve into the history of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, exploring the fascinating story of its construction and the impact it has had on the Seattle community. We will also examine the unique features of the locks, including the fish ladder that allows salmon to migrate safely upstream, and the breathtaking views of Lake Union and Puget Sound that can be seen from the locks.1. A brief history of the Hiram M. Chittenden LocksThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, also known as the Ballard Locks, is a crucial part of Seattle's maritime transportation system. Constructed in the early 20th century, the locks were named after Hiram M. Chittenden, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer who played a key role in their design and construction. The idea for the locks was born out of the need for a more efficient way to move goods and people between Lake Union and Lake Washington, and ultimately to Puget Sound. Construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1917, at a cost of $2.4 million. Since then, the locks have become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world who come to see the boats and salmon passing through the locks. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks remain an important part of Seattle's transportation system to this day, providing a vital link between the city's lakes and the sea.2. The purpose and function of the locksThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington feature a unique system of locks designed to facilitate the movement of boats and ships between the freshwater inland waterways and the saltwater Puget Sound. There are two locks at the facility: the large lock and the small lock. The purpose of the locks is to regulate the water level and control the flow of water between the two bodies of water. Boats and ships are guided into the lock, where the water level is adjusted to match the level on the other side of the lock. Once the water levels are equal, the lock gates are opened, and the vessel can continue its journey. The locks play a vital function in supporting the local economy by allowing commercial and recreational vessels to move between the two waterways safely and efficiently.3. The importance of the fish ladderThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington is a complex system that allows ships to move between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater of Lake Union and Lake Washington. One important feature of this system is the fish ladder, which plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological health of the surrounding area. The fish ladder allows salmon and other migratory fish to bypass the locks and continue their journey upstream to spawn. This is important because it ensures that these fish populations can continue to thrive, which in turn supports the local ecosystem and the many species that depend on it. Without the fish ladder, the ecological balance of the area would be significantly impacted, making it a crucial component of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks system.4. The impact on Seattle's economyThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle is not only an impressive engineering feat, but it also has a significant impact on the local economy. The locks provide an essential route for boats to travel between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, which is crucial for the shipping industry. The locks also facilitate recreational boating, which is a significant contributor to the tourism industry. In addition, the locks provide a habitat for fish and other aquatic life, which supports the local fishing industry. Overall, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks play a crucial role in the economic vitality of Seattle and the surrounding region. The continued maintenance and operation of the locks is essential to support these industries and ensure the economic well-being of the area.5. The role in maritime transportationThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington play a crucial role in maritime transportation. The locks, also known as the Ballard Locks, provide a crucial link between the Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. This connection enables vessels to safely and efficiently navigate through the locks, bypassing the dangerous rapids of the Salmon Bay. The locks also serve as a critical point for the transfer of commercial goods, including timber, petroleum, and other bulk commodities, between the inland waterways and the Pacific Ocean. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are essential to maintaining the economic vitality of the region and supporting both regional and national transportation infrastructure.6. The lock operation processThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks located in Seattle, Washington, is a crucial part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The locks serve as a vital water transport system that enables large vessels to move from the Puget Sound to the freshwater lakes in the region. The lock operation process is a critical task that requires a high level of expertise and knowledge. The process involves raising or lowering water levels to facilitate the movement of vessels. The lock personnel follow a strict set of procedures to ensure the safety of all personnel and vessels involved in the operation. The process begins with the arrival of a vessel at the lock. The lock personnel then confirm the vessel's size and draft and determine the amount of water required to complete the locking process. The lock doors are then closed behind the vessel, and water is either filled or emptied to raise or lower the vessel to the required level. Once the vessel is at the desired level, the lock doors are opened, and the vessel can proceed through the lock. The lock operation process is a well-coordinated effort that requires attention to detail and strict adherence to safety protocols.7. The unique engineering designThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington, is known not only for its historical significance, but also for its unique engineering design. The locks were constructed in 1911 and are still in operation today, serving as a crucial part of the city's transportation infrastructure. The design of the locks is a marvel of engineering, with a system of gates, pumps, and valves that control the flow of water and boats through the locks. The locks are also notable for their size, with a length of 825 feet and a width of 80 feet, making them one of the largest locks in the world. The unique engineering design of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks serves as a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the engineers who designed and built them, and to the importance of the locks to the city of Seattle and the surrounding region.8. The beautiful botanical gardensThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and beauty of the Pacific Northwest. One of the highlights of this attraction is the stunning botanical gardens that surround the locks. These gardens feature a wide variety of plant species, including native plants as well as exotic species from around the world. The gardens are meticulously maintained and provide a tranquil oasis for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery. With winding paths, lush greenery, and colorful blooms throughout the year, the botanical gardens at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are truly a sight to behold. Visitors can learn about the various plant species and their significance to the local ecosystem through informative signage and exhibits. Overall, the beautiful botanical gardens are just one of the many reasons to visit the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington.9. The visitor center and toursThe Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the engineering marvels of the Pacific Northwest. At the heart of the locks is the Visitor Center, which provides information about the history and operation of the locks, as well as the local flora and fauna. Guided tours are also available, led by knowledgeable and experienced staff who will take visitors through the locks and explain the intricate systems that keep water levels stable, allowing boats to travel freely between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater of Lake Union and Lake Washington. The tours are educational and informative, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the importance of this vital waterway and the efforts taken to maintain it. The Visitor Center and tours are a must-see for anyone interested in the history and engineering feats of the Pacific Northwest region.10. Tips for visiting the locksIf you're planning a visit to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington, there are a few tips that can enhance your experience. First and foremost, it's important to note that the locks can get busy, especially during the summer months and weekends, so arriving early or on a weekday can help avoid crowds. Additionally, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes since the locks require a fair amount of walking and stairs. To fully appreciate the history and significance of the locks, consider taking a guided tour or attending one of the many educational events offered throughout the year. Finally, be sure to bring a camera to capture the stunning views of the Puget Sound and watch the boats as they navigate through the locks. With these tips in mind, visitors can make the most of their trip to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and have a memorable experience.In conclusion, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington is a marvel of engineering and a testament to human ingenuity. The locks have been in operation for over a century and continue to play an important role in the region's economy and transportation system. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding gardens, watch boats navigate through the locks, and learn about the history and function of this impressive feat of engineering. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are a must-see destination for anyone visiting Seattle or with an interest in engineering and infrastructure.

For more points of interest in Seattle Washington , click here Read the full article

[bestcommercialfishingpermits]

The Basics of Obtaining a Fishing License in Georgia

Did you know that you need a fishing license to fish in Georgia? It’s true! This blog post will walk you through the basics of obtaining a fishing license in Georgia. Remember that the regulations for the water you want to fish in may differ from those listed here. Some rivers and lakes, for instance, have strict catch-and-release policies, so it’s essential to know the rules before you go.

Anyone who has fished in Georgia for a significant time knows that the state requires a license to fish in its waters. However, some fishermen still need to see the need to acquire one, so we’ll go through the essentials.

Review the Types of Licenses Available If you are a resident of Georgia and are interested in going fishing, you have the option of purchasing one of four distinct kinds of fishing permits. The first fishing license in Georgia is a basic freshwater license, which may be used to fish in any of the state’s inland waterways.

There is also the possibility of purchasing a saltwater license, which grants the holder permission to fish in any marine waterways, including rivers and coastal seas such as the Atlantic Ocean. If you live in Georgia and want to fish in fresh and saltwater, you can get a combination license that covers both types of water by paying an additional fee.

You also can purchase a nonresident license that is valid for the duration of your time spent in Georgia if you do not live in Georgia but are traveling through the state.

Determine Which Type Of Fishing License In Georgia You Need The recreational license is the most popular choice and satisfies all your requirements for fishing in freshwater. However, it would help if you got a saltwater fishing license from the appropriate authorities to fish in saltwater. There are also two other choices available: a yearly sport license or a three-day sport license. If you plan on fishing for a few days or weeks during the summer, the sport license, valid for the whole year, could be the best choice for you.

The regular fishing license expires after 90 days. A three-day sport license can be purchased any time during the year and entitles its holder to fish for three consecutive days. This is an excellent choice if you only intend to go on a short fishing trip once or twice in Georgia because it is the least expensive sport license.

Pay for Your License You may buy a fishing license at any location that accepts that payment. It is a common misconception that there is a waiting period before a license may be obtained; the only thing that counts is when the fee is paid. This may be done at any time during the year, and your license will become active as of that date. To fish in state waterways, a license is required by most states. It’s the same in Georgia; if you want to fish there, you’ll need to shell out some cash for a license.

A Georgia fishing license may be purchased at numerous local bait and tackle shops or the Commercial Fishing Permits Center. Some bait stores will sell them over the phone if you don’t want to go out of your way to get a license.

Get your Georgia Fishing License Card It’s mandatory to have this card if you’re 16 or 17 years old. This license covers most freshwater fishing in Georgia. However, a separate card is needed if you want to fish from a boat with an engine larger than ten horsepower. This card is available at no extra cost, but you must have your valid fishing license or the Fishing License ID card with you while fishing in the state.

You may select from a free basic license, a three-day license, or an annual license that grants you access to several discounts at local shops and restaurants, among other benefits. If fishing is something you’ve been thinking about doing more regularly, you should look into various kinds of licenses to find one that better suits your interests and requirements.

If you’re interested in obtaining a commercial fishing license in Georgia, you should know that the process is straightforward. We at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center are here to answer any questions you might have about the process and can help you get started. We have all the information you need, so please browse our site.

[authoratmidnight]

>the only reason why the Great Lakes aren’t called inland seas is because they are entirely freshwater, not salt.

I feel I must inform you, that we do, in fact, call them inland seas. Even the natives called them that, or at least Lake Superior. Its Ojibwe name, Gichi-Gami (the very name mentioned in the song above) literally means "Great Sea".

Also, to further emphasize how big these lakes are, Lake Superior is THE largest freshwater lake by surface area, the third largest by volume and contain 10% of the world's (surface) freshwater. The lakes in their entirety contain 21% of the world's (surface) freshwater.

They are so large they LITERALLY effect the weather for the regions around them, it's called The Lake Effect

The Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River superimposed on a map of Europe

[encyclopika]

Animal Crossing Fish Explained - Habitats #6

Brought to you by a marine biologist still lost in freshwater...

CLICK HERE FOR THE AC FISH EXPLAINED MASTERPOST!

We did the Temperate River habitat the other day, so it’s time to move on to the Temperate Pond or Lake. The Temperate Pond is seasonal, experiencing varying temperatures and sometimes freezing on the surface during winter. Animals and plants that live here need to handle not only this variability, but also the unfortunate predicament of being vulnerable to contamination as humans love visiting them.

Rivers and ponds/lakes are totally different habitats. In a river, animals fight against the current. In a pond, you don’t get that as much, and so many other species of plants that need a steady place to seed and put down roots can do so. The tank in the museum represents a temperate pond or lake, some still, or slow-moving freshwater body. Many, many animals call this habitat home or use it as a nursery for babies. Ponds and lakes don’t flow as quickly as rivers or salt marshes; the water in the pond or lake may drain slowly into the sediment, but any contaminants and pollution can’t be easily washed away. 

Ponds and lakes are usually formed when rain water or groundwater fills in a depression in the ground. Some of them can dry up and be seasonal, only appearing during the rainy season. Others are more permanent because of their depth (there’s too much water there to evaporate before the next rain, typically a lake) or the water source is constant (either by a neighboring river, for which the pond is an offshoot that gets a trickle constantly, or there is constant groundwater flowing up from the ground). But this is where their similarities end.

You’re aware a pond and a lake are two different things, and you probably know it has something to do with size. But where most people might assume lakes cover more geographical space than a pond, the real difference is in depth. Ponds are completely within the Photic Zone - meaning that sunlight can reach the bottom throughout the water body and this allows plants to grow throughout the system. Lakes, on the other hand, are deep enough to have an Aphotic zone, in which light can’t reach down. Lakes can be absolutely massive - the Salt Lake of Utah, USA actually tricked early explorers into believing they’d reached the ocean! The Great Lakes of North America are collectively the largest freshwater body in the world, accounting for 21% of the Earth’s freshwater! They’re so big, they are sometimes called inland seas, even though they are freshwater. Lake Baikal in Russia is the largest lake in the world by volume, with an incredible depth of more than 1,000 meters (+3000 feet). There are many, many more amazing lakes in Africa, like Lake Malawi, but I’ll stop there.

What’s interesting to me is that many of the animals in the Pond/Lake Tank are North American - the Black Bass, the Snapping Turtle, the Gar, the Pike etc. So I’d like to take this time to talk about one other way ponds are formed - by animals! Namely: Beavers!

I do believe we have talked about ecosystem engineers before in this series, but it’s worth touching on again. See, beavers quite literally engineer their own habitat. By building their dams in strategic locations, they can essentially stop a river’s flow enough to start flooding the land behind the dam, creating what’s called a Beaver Pond. The pond is only there because a beaver put his dam there. What happens next is really fascinating. Now, all of a sudden, there is land underwater where it’s never been underwater before - any plants that can’t handle that much water die and are replaced by wetland plants (which is helped along by the beavers chewing down all the trees in the vicinity to build their dam and, y’know, to eat the wood). Now that the river isn’t flowing quite as fast, other animals are attracted to the area, such as waterfowl, insects like dragonflies, and fish take up residence in the pond, now unable to continue down the river, which further attracts fish-eaters, like otters and bears. Suddenly, this flowing river has transformed into a thriving pond, all because the beaver thought this was a great spot to settle down.

The animals in this tank are:

Snapping Turtle :: Softshell Turtle :: Catfish :: Tadpole & Frog :: Gar :: Pike :: Giant Snakehead :: Bitterling :: Black Bass :: Carp :: Koi :: Bluegill ::  Crawfish :: Loach

And there you have it. Fascinating stuff, no?