MICHIGAN

High lake levels, eroding shorelines a challenge

The Detroit News
People assess the damage on the beach at Point Betsie Lighthouse, north of Frankfort, on Oct. 16, 2019, after gale-force winds on Lake Michigan pushed near-record-high water onto the beach along with a huge amount of woody debris. As winter approaches, lakeside residents know that storms could bring more coastal flooding, erosion, ice floes and jams that could create havoc.
People assess the damage on the beach at Point Betsie Lighthouse, north of Frankfort, on Oct. 16, 2019, after gale-force winds on Lake Michigan pushed near-record-high water onto the beach along with a huge amount of woody debris. As winter approaches, lakeside residents know that storms could bring more coastal flooding, erosion, ice floes and jams that could create havoc.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
Gale-force winds on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay have caused water to erode and collapse the parking area at West End Beach in Traverse City, seen on Oct. 16.
Gale-force winds on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay have caused water to erode and collapse the parking area at West End Beach in Traverse City, seen on Oct. 16.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
High water in Grand Traverse Bay, fed by winds on Lake Michigan, splashes onto the lawn at the Open Space in downtown Traverse City on Oct. 16.
High water in Grand Traverse Bay, fed by winds on Lake Michigan, splashes onto the lawn at the Open Space in downtown Traverse City on Oct. 16.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
Piles of woody debris lie on the beach at Point Betsie Lighthouse in Benzie County on Oct. 16, as high winds on Lake Michigan swept ashore high water.
Piles of woody debris lie on the beach at Point Betsie Lighthouse in Benzie County on Oct. 16, as high winds on Lake Michigan swept ashore high water.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
A tree stands in the water of Saginaw Bay at Killarney Beach in Bangor Township. Residents have seen their backyard beaches diminish in recent years.
A tree stands in the water of Saginaw Bay at Killarney Beach in Bangor Township. Residents have seen their backyard beaches diminish in recent years.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Killarney Beach resident Julie Schultz of Bangor Township talks about the rising waters of Saginaw Bay as she stands on the seawall behind her house. She says her beachfront was three times larger when she and her family moved here years ago.
Killarney Beach resident Julie Schultz of Bangor Township talks about the rising waters of Saginaw Bay as she stands on the seawall behind her house. She says her beachfront was three times larger when she and her family moved here years ago.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
These weeds behind the house of Bill Thorson, 76, of Bangor Township were not covered by the waters of Saginaw Bay in 2018, he said.
These weeds behind the house of Bill Thorson, 76, of Bangor Township were not covered by the waters of Saginaw Bay in 2018, he said.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Bill Thorson, 76, and Jean Tude Thuot, 74, of Bangor Township, talk about the rising Saginaw Bay waters behind their Bayshore Drive houses.
Bill Thorson, 76, and Jean Tude Thuot, 74, of Bangor Township, talk about the rising Saginaw Bay waters behind their Bayshore Drive houses.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Thousands of zebra mussel shells are washed up on the shores of Saginaw Bay behind houses along Bay Shore Drive in Bangor Township after recent storms.
Thousands of zebra mussel shells are washed up on the shores of Saginaw Bay behind houses along Bay Shore Drive in Bangor Township after recent storms.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Killarney Beach resident Dan Latal talks about the rising water level of Saginaw Bay as he sits on the seawall behind his house. Latal says there were 100 yards of beach here when he moved in 19 years ago.
Killarney Beach resident Dan Latal talks about the rising water level of Saginaw Bay as he sits on the seawall behind his house. Latal says there were 100 yards of beach here when he moved in 19 years ago.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Killarney Beach resident Julie Schultz says her beachfront is three times smaller than when she and her family moved here years ago due to the rising water level in Saginaw Bay.
Killarney Beach resident Julie Schultz says her beachfront is three times smaller than when she and her family moved here years ago due to the rising water level in Saginaw Bay.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
This sticker is displayed on the window of Killarney Beach resident Julie Schultz of Bangor Township.
This sticker is displayed on the window of Killarney Beach resident Julie Schultz of Bangor Township.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Tobico Beach resident Kathy Dwan, 49, of Bangor Township, says during storms the Saginaw Bay rises to the two white paddle boards on her beach.
Tobico Beach resident Kathy Dwan, 49, of Bangor Township, says during storms the Saginaw Bay rises to the two white paddle boards on her beach.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Gaps between the boat slip piers and the berm at the Luna Pier Harbor Club marina in Luna Pier show the erosion that occurred due to high lake levels this summer.
Gaps between the boat slip piers and the berm at the Luna Pier Harbor Club marina in Luna Pier show the erosion that occurred due to high lake levels this summer.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
High water levels over the summer are partially to blame for damaged and tilting piers at the Luna Pier Harbor Club marina in Luna Pier.
High water levels over the summer are partially to blame for damaged and tilting piers at the Luna Pier Harbor Club marina in Luna Pier.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
A truck slowly drives through a flooded Cotterie Park Road in Leamington, Ontario, on May 8, 2019, as waves from Lake Erie batter the shoreline.
A truck slowly drives through a flooded Cotterie Park Road in Leamington, Ontario, on May 8, 2019, as waves from Lake Erie batter the shoreline.
Dax Melmer, Windsor Star
The same location on Old Mission Peninsula is seen at top on Sept. 4, 2011, and at bottom on Sept. 3, 2019.
The same location on Old Mission Peninsula is seen at top on Sept. 4, 2011, and at bottom on Sept. 3, 2019.
Kevin J. Hardy, The Detroit News
A motorcycle traverses high water on a usually dry parking lot at the Humbug Marina in Gibraltar on July 1, 2019.
A motorcycle traverses high water on a usually dry parking lot at the Humbug Marina in Gibraltar on July 1, 2019.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
Willie Brown enjoys some time at his boat in the Humbug Marina in Gilbraltar on July 1, 2019, but found his table, chairs and grill in water in the parking lot.
Willie Brown enjoys some time at his boat in the Humbug Marina in Gilbraltar on July 1, 2019, but found his table, chairs and grill in water in the parking lot.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
A temporary dock and walkway is a foot underwater at the launch site at Elizabeth Park in Trenton on July 1, 2019.
A temporary dock and walkway is a foot underwater at the launch site at Elizabeth Park in Trenton on July 1, 2019.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
Brian Adam of Romulus walks in a flooded field near the banks of the Trenton Channel in Elizabeth Park on July 1, 2019.
Brian Adam of Romulus walks in a flooded field near the banks of the Trenton Channel in Elizabeth Park on July 1, 2019.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
Michael Truesdell and Nathaniel Cecil of Lincoln Park fish from a rock surrounded by water near the usual bank of the Trenton Channel in Elizabeth Park.
Michael Truesdell and Nathaniel Cecil of Lincoln Park fish from a rock surrounded by water near the usual bank of the Trenton Channel in Elizabeth Park.
Daniel Mears, Detroit News
West End Beach in Traverse City is completely under water on Oct. 16, 2019, with severe erosion in the parking area. The life buoy is usually several feet from the water on the beach.
West End Beach in Traverse City is completely under water on Oct. 16, 2019, with severe erosion in the parking area. The life buoy is usually several feet from the water on the beach.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
The beach at Clinch Park in Traverse City is under water on Oct. 16, 2019. Gale-force winds on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay pushed near-record-high water onto shore, causing erosion.
The beach at Clinch Park in Traverse City is under water on Oct. 16, 2019. Gale-force winds on Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay pushed near-record-high water onto shore, causing erosion.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
In Traverse City, the Clinch Park launch ramp parking lot was closed Oct. 16, 2019, due to high water.
In Traverse City, the Clinch Park launch ramp parking lot was closed Oct. 16, 2019, due to high water.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
High winds in Grand Traverse Bay, fed by Lake Michigan, pushed near-record-high water onto the pier at the West End Beach-Holiday Inn in Traverse City, on Oct. 16, 2019. The hotel also had flooding in its parking lot.
High winds in Grand Traverse Bay, fed by Lake Michigan, pushed near-record-high water onto the pier at the West End Beach-Holiday Inn in Traverse City, on Oct. 16, 2019. The hotel also had flooding in its parking lot.
John L. Russell, Special To The Detroit News
Large waves on Lake Michigan, caused by high winds, crash into the St. Joseph Lighthouse and pier on Oct. 16, 2019, in St. Joseph.
Large waves on Lake Michigan, caused by high winds, crash into the St. Joseph Lighthouse and pier on Oct. 16, 2019, in St. Joseph.
Robert Franklin, South Bend Tribune Via AP
Lake Michigan floods a walkway near the docks in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago on Aug. 30, 2019. In early October, steady rain and rising tides resulted in portions of scenic Lake Shore Drive in Chicago being closed for two hours because of flooding.
Lake Michigan floods a walkway near the docks in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago on Aug. 30, 2019. In early October, steady rain and rising tides resulted in portions of scenic Lake Shore Drive in Chicago being closed for two hours because of flooding.
Lauren Abdel-Razzaq, The Detroit News