Iron Dragon valley

I could be completely wrong (my nautical knowledge is quite low), but I have heard that it is the relative shallowness of Lake Erie that contributes to its unpredictable and surprisingly (to the inexperienced) rough conditions. Is there truth to that?

Yes. I could spend a while explaining the fluid mechanics of why depth matters, but a brief analogy is that of a tsunami wave that does very little in the depth of the ocean but seems to be magnified in the shallows off the coast.

I was on Cedar Point rd. at about the same time that video was recorded, clipping along at my normal pace. I am always cautious in puddles or high water, not knowing what is below the surface. I was truly amazed at the number of rocks, not just stones, that were along that stretch. Water sure is powerful! The debris should not be a surprise to me, I was on duty at Burke Lakefront airport the night of "Super Storm Sandy". We had large rocks & much debris as well as shoreline erosion from the waves. It appears as though some of those nice homes on CP Rd. are plagued by water damage regularly.

When I saw Iron Dragon stuck where it was I noticed it was only 2 to 3 feet above the water surface, I thought about the tragedy at Raptor earlier this summer. I hope nobody is ever in the lagoon when ID passes through that area.

Kevinj said:

I could be completely wrong (my nautical knowledge is quite low), but I have heard that it is the relative shallowness of Lake Erie that contributes to its unpredictable and surprisingly (to the inexperienced) rough conditions. Is there truth to that?

That is 100% true. From the Wiki Lake Erie article: "The shallowest section of Lake Erie is the western basin where depths average only 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m); as a result, "the slightest breeze can kick up lively waves," according to a New York Times reporter in 2004. The "waves build very quickly", according to other accounts. Sometimes fierce waves springing up unexpectedly have led to dramatic rescues."

Well that settles it - the waves were definitely 38' tall last weekend (why stop at 8-12'?) since it is a known fact that "waves build very quickly". Sounds like a top notch reference :(

Sounds like you're right Pete. According to this article, Storm Sandy created average waves of up to 14 feet on Lake Erie. So, it is very plausible.

http://www.fondriest.com/news/buoys-record-tall-great-lakes-waves-d...-sandy.htm

I know it's the wrong lake, but while reading this thread all I can hear in my head is this song:

Shades, it is a known fact that waves build very quickly on Lake Erie, most people on the lake don't need to look at Wikipedia to know that. The shallow water allows that to happen and creates steep waves that are close together, the famous "Lake Erie Chop". Lyman Boats, which were built in Sandusky, were famous for their hull design that was specially made to cut through Lake Erie chop and give a comfortable ride.

I know - I wasn't knocking you. I just found it borderline stupid that Wiki quotes some random reporter who y said "waves build very quickly". What the heck kind of reference is that?

The chausse was closed that night as well because the waves had moved some boulders into the road effectively blocking it.