This image shows very low water levels at the Lakefront dock on November 17th, 1948. The water was three (3) feet below the water datum, the measurement that is used to show depth on nautical charts. Nautical charts typically use a depth measurement that is an average of low water levels, so three feet below that is significant. Low water levels were a concern for dock operators because they could prevent boats from being able to dock and load or unload cargo.
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