Beautiful landscapes and recreational activities can be found in the huge freshwater region known as the Great Lakes. However, there are hidden hazards beneath their serene exterior, especially in the shape of hazardous currents and erratic weather patterns.
Particularly, one beach on Lake Michigan has a well-known reputation for being extremely dangerous. We’ll examine the Great Lakes’ most hazardous beach in this post and learn what makes it so unsafe.
Lake Michigan: The Great Lakes’ Deadliest Shoreline
About 20 million people visit Lake Michigan annually, the only lake entirely contained within the United States. There are numerous beaches and resorts along its edge that welcome guests of all backgrounds, and its natural beauty is undeniable.
However, there are dangerous beaches in Lake Michigan that are worth avoiding. Grand Haven is a stunning location that is well-known for its dangerous conditions.
Grand Haven, a small, quiet city of around 11,000 people, is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and is about 30 minutes’ drive from Grand Rapids’ downtown.
The town, which was established in 1835, is arguably most well-known for its boardwalk, kilometers of white sand beaches, and magnificent lighthouse, which is at its best in the winter.
What is so deadly about Lake Michigan?
Because Lake Michigan is known for being the roughest of the Great Lakes, you should exercise additional caution when swimming in it. Lake Michigan was the site of little under half of the 85 drownings that tragically happened on the Great Lakes in 2023, and 40 more people died there in 2024.
If you’ve never been to a lake this size before, it can be challenging to understand the many various aspects that go into this.
Lake Michigan’s enormous size causes it to behave similarly to the ocean, complete with lethal rip currents, strong high waves, underwater hazards, and unexpected storms.
To exacerbate the situation, Michigan was compelled to reduce all lifeguard services in 1993, leaving the beaches of the Great Lakes unguarded.
Despite its undeniable charm and beauty, Grand Haven is equally vulnerable to similar threats. In fact, on July 4, 1929, a meteotsunami—a tsunami brought on by storm conditions as opposed to tectonic activity—hit the coastline.
Ten individuals were killed when waves up to 20 feet high crashed onto the shore when some 45,000 people were having a good time.
A second red flag would have closed the swimming area for safety reasons, however in August 2022, a 21-year-old man was swept away and drowned off Grand Haven amid single red flag circumstances.
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How to enjoy the beaches of Grand Haven while staying safe?
The good news is that in an effort to help stop hazardous and deadly accidents in the sea, Grand Haven authorities have recently improved the safety elements on the city’s beaches.
The installation of 12 new solar-powered safety towers with various capabilities, created by the tech company SwimSmart, was announced in May 2024.
Because the eight red towers are Wi-Fi enabled, they can detect the most recent lake weather conditions in real time and serve as stop lights to show how safe swimming is.
To keep guests safe and informed, other elements include flotation apparatus, video surveillance, and loudspeakers. Additionally, beachgoers can use the phones and public address systems in the four blue towers to notify rescue personnel in case of an emergency.
Avoid swimming 24 hours after a rainstorm or 48 hours after a particularly intense downpour. Examine the Surf Zone Forecast for information on rip current hazards and weather conditions.
For the latter, before you get into the water, learn the warning indications that could indicate the presence of a hazardous current.
