Western Harborcam

This location from atop the Lincoln Park Middle School in Duluth offers a unique panoramic view of the Western Duluth Harbor.  

Thanks to the many viewers who donated to this project and to the Duluth School District 709 who made this location possible.

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The Western Harbor - An incredible resource.

Nestled along the westernmost tip of Lake Superior, the Duluth Harbor stands as a testament to the beauty of the Great Lakes region. As one of the busiest ports in the United States, this picturesque harbor offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, bustling industry, and rich history, all wrapped up in a captivating environment.

Duluth Harbor is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and rocky cliffs, creating a breathtaking backdrop for visitors to admire. The pristine waters of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area, provide a serene and calming atmosphere. Amidst this tranquil setting, the harbor is teeming with wildlife, from majestic bald eagles soaring overhead to playful otters frolicking in the water.

While the harbor's natural beauty is undeniable, it is the maritime industry that gives Duluth Harbor its unique character. The port serves as a vital link between the Midwest and the global economy, handling millions of tons of cargo annually. The iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, a symbol of the harbor's rich industrial heritage, gracefully lifts to allow large vessels to pass through, showcasing the synergy between man-made marvels and nature.

Duluth Harbor's history is deeply intertwined with the region's growth and development. Established in the 19th century, the harbor has played a pivotal role in shaping the area's economy and culture. Historic landmarks, such as the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, offer visitors a glimpse into the harbor's past, providing an understanding of the role it played in the nation's maritime history.

The harbor is not only an industrial hub and historical site, but also a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Duluth Harbor's shoreline is dotted with parks, recreational trails, and beaches, providing ample opportunities for visitors to hike, bike, or simply soak in the stunning views. The Lakewalk, a scenic pathway that winds along the water's edge, is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

The beauty of Duluth Harbor lies in its striking contrasts - a tranquil natural setting amidst the hum of industrial activity, a bustling port steeped in rich history, and a recreational haven that draws visitors from near and far. This enchanting harbor serves as a reminder that nature and industry can coexist harmoniously, creating a captivating destination for all to enjoy.

58 comments:

  1. I really like this new cam. WOW, is my only comment.

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  2. Thank you Dennis. Fantastic views.

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  3. Wow! Nice view from a great location. Excellent work. Well done guys.

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  4. Thank you, Dennis, you have picked a perfect spot for this camera. It'll be fun to see a boat or two being loaded. I see you have already given us a taste of this camera watching Burns Harbor depart!

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  5. What a beautiful view of the western end of the harbor, with the new camera. The clearity of the view is the sharpest I've seen, Thank you for your work on all the cameras.

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  6. Fantastic views, thanks to all who donated and to you Den for keeping this website going

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  7. I'm glad I got a chance to chip in on this camera. This shows where the rubber meets the road.

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  8. great addition, seeing docks and ships previously unable to be seen. Self unloaders in action especially interesting.

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  9. Thank you for Western Harbor Cam-it is so awesome!

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  10. like the new camera. Thanks for this

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  11. Love this camera, but wish it stayed on the ore docks more than on the bridge so you can watch the loading.

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  12. Thanks, Dennis! Love the new camera adding new views of the ships and surrounding area!

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  13. What a fantastic addition to the existing cameras. Now we can see the loading and unloading actions taking place as well as the ships maneuvering in and out of the docks and the iron ore trains entering and leaving the area. So much activity that we were missing out on in the past. Thank you for installing this!

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  14. Have been using Dennis's Duluth webcams since its inception. Great Job with this latest one. Thank y9u

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  15. from gary in vancouver british columbia canada via the st clair river town of sombra ontario .the new cam is totally awesome ye ha and thanks to dennis be safe gary

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    1. hi dennis just a suggestion focus camera more on the docks and loading areas rather than panning up the inlet where nothing ever seems to go on otherwise such a great camera view.. be safe gary

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  16. I've been wanting this view for years. Thank you!

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  17. Hey, Greetings, Mike from Courtright Ontario on the Shore of Beautiful St. Clair River. I enjoy watching the Freighters pass by my home.
    Like to check out the Cams up at Duluth and see which Freighters are loading and coming this way. This New Cam sure adds to the Fun.
    Thanks.

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    1. greetings to my brother mike in courtright ontario from brother gary in vancouver. we exchange numerous times each day on comings and going of ships on the great lakes.its a great way for us to keep in touch . so much fun and interesting thanks. gary

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  18. oh, wow!!! Once again, money well spent! I'm glad I got a chance to donate and make this happen!

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  19. Just discovered this new camera! Great site!

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  20. Thank you for adding this cam for a new view of the harbor and surrounding area. Fantastic!!

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  21. Excellent addition to the cam family - the expanded views are great!

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  22. As a life-long boat nerd who went to school at Lincoln grade- and high-school, I'm overjoyed to see this. Thanks to Dennis and to all who made this possible!

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  23. As a Duluth native and life long boat nerd, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this new camera. I just watched the PRT go from SMET to the edge of the camera's range, and then through the bridge on the other cams. The closeups of the loading and moving through the harbor are amazing. The view of the ore docks is so fabulous....We can see stuff we've never been able to see before. THANK YOU for this. I'm afraid I'm going to be spending way too much time looking at it. :-)

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  24. wow what an exciting afternoon watching the monson head up the channel and under the large free way bridge then take av right to the unloading area . great interesting camera footage thank from gary in vancouver be safe

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  25. Found Duluth webcams a few years ago and became a big fan of your beautiful world. What an education; Duluth, bulk ships, Great Lakes… I find it all so entertaining and educational. This Western cam opens up so much more of the area. Thank you!

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  26. this comment concerns the cams at two harbors would it be possible to place them together boat cam then depot cam thanks for your concideration gary

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  27. The western harbor cam is a terrific addition. Thank you for making the web cams so enjoyable.

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  28. Looking forward to any input from folks with shipping/boat knowledge & experience. I've been tuning in to these cams for a few years and am delighted with the captured details. Thank you for providing this service.

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  29. please zoom in on cn6 so we can see more

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    1. i agree too much camera time wasted panning area with no docks or loading equipment but it is a phenominal prevlidge to be able to see what we can see. thanks for what you do for us boat nerds be safe gary in vancouver canada

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  30. it was so interesting to watch the val fortitude go from a pusher set up to a puller outfit in the harbor before rounding conners point this all happened around 11 am to 11 30am duluth time. thanks vancouver gary may15th

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  31. it was interesting to watch the change from pusher to puller to day thanks for the full duluth harbor video postedb today gary

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  32. Love watching this new camera ~ thank you!! Also wonder about the dock/pier farthest south without the train tracks running to it; no longer in use, or yet to be installed?

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    1. That west ore dock has been retired. Not sure if it will ever be brought back.

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    2. Hmm, maybe it could be converted to a hiking trail like the Minnesota Zoo treetop trail, or the NYC highline?

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  33. from gary i hear a shipmate and the bridge attendant communicating with each other even though the ship is entering or leaving through the superior entrance could someone comment on the procedure please ive heard the term ill log you in thanks be safe

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    1. The Bridge Operator log the boats in and out of the Wisconsin Entry also.

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  34. good morning dennis help me out here if you would . two harbors seems to be busier then duluth these days .
    is the availabily of product the shorter distance the ease of getting in and out that is the reason ? i see the tregurtha is there this morning. thanks sir have a great safe day vancouverv gary

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  35. hi to all you boat nerds as ive mentioned before my brother mike lives right on the banks of the st clair river near courtright ontario . today between 5pm and 5 35 pst i sent him via photos and videos totaling 26 individual accounts from 7 web cams featuring the departure of the. philip clarke. what fun it was . my cell got a work out whatsapp got a work out as well. thanks dennis for making this fun available be safe everyone vancouver gary

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  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. got your test vancouver gary for dennis what is the camera lens difference between the canal cam and the lighthouse cam..... the canal cam photo the ship is hardly visable the lighthouse cam shes almost in my rec room thanks vancouver gary be safe blessings to all

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    2. The Lighthouse cam has telephoto capability while the Bridge and Canal are fixed focal length.

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  37. hi dennis thanks for the great close up view of the fueling dock as the one earlier on from the hillside cam so good gary

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  38. to dennis today i timed the lifting of the bridge until the algoma discovery passed under it to almost 13 plus minutes i can understand the safety issue but thatv amount oftime seem

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  39. from vancouver gary for dennis today i timed the lifting of the bridge to over 13 minites before the algoma discovery passed under i understand the safety issues but that seem like a long time please respond thanks gary be safe

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  40. cam seemed to be frosen for the longest time this afternoon missed docking of the munson

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  41. from vancouver gary what a great photo opp this afternoon after the mesabi miner departed to have the tregurtha the mccarthy and the michopicatin all in the same photo tregurtha docked the mccarthy west bound to the loading area and the michopicatin going east right up the middle a once in a lifetime pkoto thanks to all who made the new western camera possible be safe gary

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  42. from vancouver gary just a suggestion would it be posible that new posts be added to the top of the list instead of at the end of previous comments it would save a lot of scrolling down thank you for your consideration. you do such a great job dennis besafe god bless north america gary

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  43. this comment should most likely be posted elsewhere but dont know how to post it anyway the big lift happy river oceon ship past under the lift bridgeon the hillide cam at19.04 the hillside cam followed her for 1 hour and fourty minutes until 20 44 when she finally was just a yellow blip on my computer screen was this a test or just out there for a nerd like to enjoy thanks from vancouver gary

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  44. Can you tell me who operates the Grassy Point Swing Bridge? I assume it's manned 24/7 like the Lift Bridge is

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  45. from vancouver gary the extended camera shots of the tregurtha from the lighthouse cam and the hillside cam this evening june 14 at around 9 pm cst are interesting thanks dennis be safe god bless north america gary

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  46. Your Western Harbor Cam is a great addition to your choices of web cams. Enjoy the excellent pictures.

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  47. Is that steam coming off the iron ore in the rail cars as it waits to be unloaded? If yes, how does the iron ore retain its heat? Did I forget this from science classes?

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    1. Yes, the iron pellets in the rail cars retain heat from the iron pellet process on the Iron Range for a long time.

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