A massive underwater mountain, the Superior Shoal, rises nearly 300 meters from the depths of Lake Superior, located about 70 kilometers from the nearest shoreline. This unique structure, first mapped in 1929, lies within the world’s largest freshwater conservation area, making it a mysterious and remote spot in the heart of Lake Superior.
Recently, a research team from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, along with a film crew, embarked on an expedition to explore the shoal in early September. Their primary goal was to gather crucial data on how this underwater mountain influences the ecosystem of Lake Superior.
Michael Rennie, an associate professor at Lakehead University and a research fellow at the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes area, emphasized the significance of Superior Shoal in understanding the lake’s ecosystem. He compared it to seamounts in oceans, highlighting its potential as a hotspot for biodiversity and fish productivity.
The expedition, lasting nine days, was supported by a Canadian government grant. The team, led by Rennie, journeyed from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Superior Shoal aboard the research vessel Blue Heron. Living and working on the trawler, they delved into studying the interactions between physical processes like currents, waves, and light penetration with the biological community around the shoal.
Rennie pointed out the importance of Superior Shoal in maintaining the health of Lake Superior’s trout fishery, home to unique strains of lake trout such as redfin, leans, and siscowet. Notably, these trout populations have rebounded naturally, without human intervention, following the fishery’s decline in the 1960s and ’70s.
In addition to the research, the expedition was documented by filmmakers from Inspired Planet Productions. The filmmakers, Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick, seized the opportunity to explore and film the underwater marvel, capturing footage of the redfin and other trout strains that contribute to Lake Superior’s diverse fishery.
To capture the underwater scenes in detail, the filmmakers utilized a high-tech underwater robot, or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), capable of descending to great depths with optimal clarity. The robot, built in collaboration with Boxfish Robotics in New Zealand, showcased impressive capabilities, allowing it to interact with the lake trout at Superior Shoal, providing unique and captivating footage.
The footage obtained during the expedition will be part of a forthcoming TV series titled “Hidden Below: the Freshwater World,” set to air on TVOntario. This series aims to shed light on the significance of underwater mountains like Superior Shoal and advocate for their protection, similar to seamounts in ocean conservation efforts.
The explorations at Superior Shoal not only yielded valuable scientific data but also provided a visual insight into the vast underwater landscape, emphasizing the importance of preserving such unique ecosystems for future generations.
