Thomas Wilson Monitoring and Cleanup Project
October 13 - 14, 2012
The date was changed from September 15 -16 2012 to October 13 -14 2012
This project is mainly for
Monitoring the Zebra Mussel infestation in the upper Lake Superior
Basin. We also measure movement on the Wilson since it is close to the
Duluth Harbor and ice heaves have been known to move parts of the ship.
We also pick up the trash around the perimeter of the Thomas Wilson.
The diving level on this project is level 3. An advanced
scuba diving certification will be required on this project. We will be diving to depths up to 56 to 70
FFW. This will require a redundant air source such as a pony bottle
either strapped to you tank or mounted like a stage bottle. If you
don't have one, we will provide a stage tank for you. You will also need to check
your Buoyancy Compensator to see if it has D-Rings so that you can
accommodate a stage bottle. We will provide Surface Supplied O2
for your safety stop at 15 feet. Divers will be following the NO decompression schedules on this project!
Thomas Wilson Project 2011 Crew
Huge Break in Hull on the Thomas Wilson
Wilson Project 2011 Crew with trash recovered from the Thomas Wilson
Divers, Randy Flacksbarth (Standing) Todd Olson (On ladder)
To learn more about the project, please click on link button provided below.
Wilson Monitoring And Cleanup Project Event 2012 - 9/15/2012
Please Note: Liability Waiver Forms are required for all Participants to print, read and
sign before they can work on this project. Please click here: Master Liability and Waiver Forms
to print your copy. To speed up the process, please bring the signed
form to hand into the project leader. We cannot leave the dock until
all forms from participants have been turned in.
If you have any questions about the Wilson Project, please contact Tim Pranke with the contact information below.
Tim Pranke
Wilson Project Leader
dirttrackin2001@yahoo.com
Thomas Wilson Monitoring and Cleanup Project
October 13 - 14, 2012
Project Closing Report
GLSPS divers braved cold conditions October 13th and 14th to continue the mussel population monitoring and clean up trash on the wreck of the whaleback steamer, Thomas Wilson, outside Duluth. Divers Bill Wallace, Jack Decker, Paul Imsland, and Ken Merryman gathered with project leader Tim Pranke, GLSPS President and Captain Phil Kerber aboard the R/V Preservation.
Poor visibility was still present from the June floods and postponed the original September date. The move to mid October was a risky one with the likelihood of fall storms, but Mother Superior granted a reprieve with almost dead calm surface conditions and moderate ambient temperatures. Water temp was 41 degrees top to bottom, with a similar air temp. The cold temps along with 10-15 ft of vis limited the scope of this year’s project. Valuable data was none the less gathered about the zebra/quaga mussel infestation, deterioration of the wreck, and impact of the flooding.
The zebra mussel population is growing at a slow rate, while the quaga mussel population has increased greatly. The test site that was cleared of mussels in 2009 has a health population of quaga mussels. Also noted was the collapse of much of the cabin deck, and a large accumulation of garbage and flood debris.
Pictured above are Quaga Mussels removed from the Thomas Wilson Shipwreck during the project.
Research and discussion will continue on what could or can be done to slow the mussel growth. Keep your eye out for next year’s project dates. We are going to attempt to contact the local DNR and UMD and try to colaberate our efforts in monitoring this issue. If you want to get involved with monitoring and protecting this fabulous shipwreck the Thomas Wilson, please contact Tim Pranke (Project Leader) for more information.
Please Note: We will be updating our data spreadsheet that we produced throughout the last three years of this project. It will represent the difference from year to year on the Zebra and Quaga Mussels counts. It will be completed for you to view soon. Please check back later.
Thomas Wilson Project 2012 Attendees:
Tim Pranke, Jack Decker, Ken Merryman, Bill Wallace, Paul Imsland, and Phil Kerber
I would like to thank all those involved for their time and effort to make this late season project happen.
Tim Pranke
GLSPS Thomas Wilson Project Leader