[LRM]

Most of the ports on the Great Lakes look like Marquette MI does now.

While shipping may not be as heavy as in the past, the two harbors in Marquette remain active. For example, here's "Boatnerd's" report for Marquette for December 2014:

"Dec 29th: I realize it has been some time since my last report but here is what is going on. The rush is on to get as many trips in and out of Marquette before the locks close. Last week, there were at least three ships in port three different days. On Christmas day, the James Kuber was at the ore dock. The Herbert Jackson arrived yesterday and as of this report was still at the dock."

"The Michipicoten and the Kaye Barker are heading for Marquette now and should arrive by mid afternoon."

You must be thinking of the old ore dock downtown, which hasn't been used in many years. Both the Lower and Upper Harbor docks remain in use and should see boat traffic once again after the SOO locks reopen.

[Ouderkirk]

I am thinking of Downtown. The upper docks weren’t active when I was there last. or at least what I could determine.

Admittedly it was three years ago and that has most likely changed. I spent week there and didn’t see a ship in that port the entire time.

But it did remind me at the time, of the empty ports on the east end. Erie PA , Dunkirk NY , Buffalo, Rochester NY, Oswego NY, Kingston Ont, All these places have next to zilch for commercial traffic and are mostly recreational boat harbors now.

I remember Buffalo Harbor in the mid 1960’s....it was a bustling place 24 hours a day.