University of Wisconsin engineers are testing a “Real Time Wave Observation System” in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Laura Podgornik reports.

The “Real Time Wave Observation System” in the Apostle Islands should inform paddlers of dangerous wave conditions before they venture out to the sea caves on Lake Superior.

After two deaths inside the Apostle Islands sea caves in 2007 that officials say could have been prevented, UW Sea Grant Coastal Engineer Gene Clark knew something needed to be done.

“Because of the types of formations of the sea caves, being solid rock with the caves carved out, they’re very beautiful but they can be very dangerous at certain wave conditions. And the mainland sea caves at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the kayak access is about a mile away at Meyers Beach and often the wave conditions at Meyers Beach can be very different than those at the sea caves.”

Clark and UW-Madison Environmental Engineer Chin Wu secured over $60,000 in grants from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. Clark says the money is used to build and revamp the device called a “Real Time Wave Observation System.”

“We are testing a system that measures the waves in front of the sea caves so that when the system is up and running, someone can go directly online and see immediately what the waves are like at the caves.”

Clark says people shouldn’t be concerned about the system ruining the beauty of the caves because the only visible equipment is a buoy on the water and a camera on top of the caves.

Engineers hope to have the “Real Time Wave Observation System” in place next year.

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