Is Lake Michigan More Dangerous than the Ocean?
Lake Michigan invokes a beautiful image of tranquil beaches, shimmering blue waters, and picturesque sunsets reflecting brightly off its surface. From a distance, Lake Michigan may seem calm and gentle, yet this inland sea can quickly become one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the US.
Many factors and aspects may contribute to this danger – roughening waves, sudden drops in temperature and strong currents, territorial behavior from fish and reptiles, lake bed’s terrain, size of lake versus ocean, and more.
For starters, waves may seem innocuous, but as storms approach, white caps can quickly turn into high wind speeds and 10 foot tall waves. This makes it difficult to navigate and can often lead to dangerous situations and accidents.
The chilly mid-west weather has also been known to cause delays in the start of the summer season; as of late May, the temperature of Lake Michigan sometimes remains cooler than the ocean, translating to strong air currents which can generate waves of up to 6 feet tall.
In addition, many of the more territorial fish, reptiles and mammals that inhabit the fresh water of Lake Michigan find safer spots to rest, take shelter, and feed in summertime. Because of this, areas near rocky ledges and near islands may be more dangerous and difficult to maneuver during the summer months when vibrancy and activity are higher.
Lake Michigan’s terrain is also deceptively dangerous. Although its 17,000+ miles of coastlines are often seen as easy to navigate, lake beds are comprised of varying types of under waters and rock formations, creating unsuspected strong currents and resurfacing issues.
When compared to the ocean, Lake Michigan, at 307 miles long and 118 miles wide, is two orders of magnitude smaller. In addition, the more restricted borders of the lake makes it more prone to higher winds, rougher waters, and more narrow pathways to safety.
Sudden Changes in Weather
Sudden changes in weather are a major contributing factor to the danger of Lake Michigan. On warm summer days lake temperatures can increase rapidly, provoked by large downpours and thunderstorms, resulting in intense winds and storm like conditions in a very short period of time.
The proximity of the lake to the city also adds to this danger. Shorelines around Chicago are considerably more crowded during the summer months due to influx of tourists. As a result, large vessels and boats can often difficult to control in intense weather and sea conditions. This can easily create hazardous maneuvers and unsuspecting water accidents.
The high amounts of rainfall that occur during the summer months also affect the clarity of the lake. During periods of high rainfall, the turbulence of the water can disrupt visibility and render it excessively blurry and hard to determine depths.
Great Lakes surfers are aware that any type of extended rain immediately affects the depth of the lake, bringing the depth down in shallow areas by almost 6 feet. This is a main concern for surfers and windsurfers alike that like to venture away from the shorelines, as sandy spots that were perfectly safe the day before can turn into unsuspected deep-water spots the following day.
Calmer Waters not Necessarily Safer Waters
It is also important to point out that calm waters in the lake may not necessarily be safer waters. Smaller vessels, canoes and kayaks, although safer in the middle of the lake due to fewer motorboats, pose their own hazard.
It is easy to underestimate one’s distance to the shore, especially during times of intense sun or with twilight approaching. These same vessels can become extremely vulnerable to the lake’s strong winds and waves that can easily turn a peaceful trip to a dangerous encounter.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, during the 2019 boating season (April-October), there have been 11 transient boating deaths and 31 injuries reported across the 5 great lakes. This in significant largely due to underestimating depth and proximity of one’s vessel to the shore and gaps in communication between captains and vessels.
Knowing the lake’s environment and being aware of the changing weather are two of the main factors to consider when enjoying the lake, especially for those venturing away from the shorelines.
High Dangers in Darker Waters
Nighttime poses another level of danger when browsing the lake. Sea animals are more active during the night and greatly depend on sonar navigation to find prey and avoid hunters. Most sailing vessels, on the other hand, rely on light navigation to protect their path.
It is recommended to avoid sailing in darker waters or after sunset as boats and vessels are much harder to detect, especially when swimming or browsing around. On numerous occasions sailors and fishermen have reported close calls with sea creatures or even other boats during night sailing.
It is also important to note that some sea creatures are either entirely nocturnal, such as skates, or become more active at night, such as orcas. This can easily translate to the lake and its inhabitants, making for a much more difficult road for captains and their vessels.
Finally, it is important to note that the level of danger may also increase with depth when navigating the lake. Most of these creatures prefer shallower waters during summer times and they can easily become confused when they are met with unknowingly deeper spots, such as rifts and crevices.
Safety Precaution Recommendations
As a general rule, all boats should be alert and cautious when navigating both shallow and deep waters. Safety should always come first and it is recommended for captains and/or owners to always opt for navigation around the mid-morning and mid-afternoon hours to properly assess the lake visibility and depth.
Weather forecasts should also be double-checked and updated often. Sudden changes in weather are always a risk and if wind is coming from any direction, especially from the North, it is best to remain close to the shores.
It is also highly recommended for all small vessels to be equipped with specific communication and/or tracking devices, ensuring smooth and easy navigation, no matter what type of day it may be.
Well versed captains must also not underestimate the value of sharing local knowledge with other captains and vessels. Although Lake Michigan may look relatively easy to navigate and manage during sunny days, it is always important to be cognizant of current water conditions and adjusting accordingly.
The Role of Stripers in Lake Michigan
The presence of stripers in Lake Michigan also plays a large role in making the lake a more dangerous body of water. Stripers are one of the most aggressive fish in the lake and if disturbed or threatened several of them may even come very close to boats or vessels as a way to protect their territory.
Although a remarkable sight to see, stripers are known for chasing bait fish in groups and if a boat is passing very close to them, unexpected waves might appear and create a hazardous path for vessels passing it by.
To avoid any type of unwanted chase swimmers should also avoid swimming in areas where there are known to be Stripers, as it might provoke a chase from the larger ones in the school.
US Coast Guard Policies
The US Coast Guard is one of the most important figures in maintaining safe waters and providing sound navigation information with regard to Lake Michigan. In order to minimize accidents, each port has its own safety policies: ships sailing in Lake Michigan must follow what’s referred to as the Ferries, Excursion Boats and Cruise Vessels policy, which consists of requirements for navigation equipment, personnel qualifications, navigation controls, vessel stability, navigation system maintenance, navigation training, and emergency procedures.
The Coast Guard also provides classes on navigation and safety, as well as virtual classes and materials regarding navigation, seamanship, and boating safety in order to ensure that we can safely and effectively navigate the waters of Lake Michigan.
Conclusion
The dangers of Lake Michigan vary greatly season to season, day to day, and hour to hour. It is key to know the lake’s environment to stay safe. Doing so will give captains and vessels a better understanding of the risks and dangers that are bound to occur by venturing out into one of the most beautiful yet dangerous bodies of water in the US.
