GRAND HAVEN, MI (WHTC) – Although the water level on Lake Michigan is not at a record high, it is higher than a year ago and about four feet up from 2014.
Area engineer Tom O’Bryan is the area engineer for the Lake Michigan Area Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and says there are some positives to the higher water, like boats not getting stuck in shallow water. O’Bryan says there is increased danger though for those who walk out on the pier.
“Waves are going to over top those structures much easier therefore knocking you down or washing you into the big lake faster and easier than they have in the past years.
Until the water recedes a bit, repairs to the Grand Haven pier have been placed on hold as it is causing erosion at beaches along the entire shoreline. He says the water will continue to recede the water is going to continue to recede now that summer is ending, and will drop about a foot by the end of the year.
There is a Beach Hazard Statement for the lakeshore from St. Joseph to Manistee until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 23.
