Pointing the way: Snow thermometer arrow replaced
Pointing the way: Snow thermometer arrow replaced
By JANE NORDBERG, DMG Writer
MOHAWK — To see the newest upgrade to a Keweenaw County landmark, motorists will have to look up, way up.
The snow thermometer, located on U.S. Highway 41 about three miles north of Mohawk, has received a new arrow indicating last year’s snow totals.
The arrow was installed by the Keweenaw County Road Commission last week, said County Engineer Gregg Patrick, and replaces an arrow stolen many years ago before Patrick joined the commission, he said.
“I don’t know how many years it’s been gone, but it’s been a while,” he said.
Whereas the previous arrow was on a pulley system and could be adjusted by moving a cable up and down, the new one is simply screwed into place, Patrick said.
“The old one was very expensive to maintain, since ice would get into the system,” he said. “Plus, it gave vandals just too much fun.”
Motorists may have also noticed that the thermometer itself has been replaced, said Patrick.
The previous snow gauge listed snow totals back to 1910, while its replacement as of May, 2005 lists snow totals back to 1957.
“Keweenaw County didn’t have its own snow gauge before 1957, so when we replaced it, we decided to start with our first official year,” Patrick explained. “The new thermometer raised our average snowfall by a significant amount.”
The thermometer garners interest from residents and visitors alike, he said.
“People are always curious about how much snow we’re getting,” he said. “It’s a neat idea to keep track from year to year.”
Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com
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