With the summer beach season underway, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reminding swimmers how to be safe in the Great Lakes.
Pat Whalen with the DNR in Southwest Michigan tells us everyone needs to observe the colored flags posted at beaches. While the water is never completely safe, green flags generally mean safe conditions with no known hazards. More caution needs to be used when the flags are yellow.
“The waves are starting to increase,” Whalen said. “Some of those currents are starting to show up around the structures. They might have some rip currents that are starting to form. And then you go to a red flag, and the red flag designates a high risk or a high hazard. The waves have increased up to four to five feet. The rip currents are most likely present.”
So don’t go in the water.
Whalen says the DNR is also now using double red flags to indicate severe hazards and that the swim area is closed.
“On those days, water access is closed from the state park, so they cannot enter the water into the Great Lake from the state park. They can still recreate on the beach, but water access is closed. And on those days, waves are approaching the six to eight-foot range, and all of the other currents we’ve discussed are very likely to be present. We may have those closed on days as well with a double red for weather. So if we’ve got thunder and lightning in the area. If there’s a hazard in the water, such as E. coli that’s been determined by a local health department, we may use those double reds on those days.”
It is illegal to enter the water when double red flags are posted, unless you’re using exempted equipment like a kiteboard with the proper safety gear.
Whalen says many state beaches have designated swim areas identifiable by buoys. He advises swimmers to stay in those areas.
“Those areas are marked by the swim buoys and are free of hazards like rocks or ledges. We do not include areas where river outlets come out into that swim area. So those areas are also checked frequently by park staff for water depth.”
Whalen reminds swimmers in Lake Michigan that rip currents are always possible.
“It is not an undertow. It will not take you under the water, but it carries you along the surface. Remind people not to try to swim back against that rip current. They should always, when they feel themselves in that rip current, a good rule of thumb is to follow the flip, float, and follow method, meaning flip on your back so you can breathe, float along with the current, conserve your energy, following that out to the safest path when they feel the rip current release them. You’re going to swim parallel to shore and then back in.”
Whalen notes that there are currently no state parks with lifeguards, but many do have life rings available and means to contact the authorities when there’s trouble.
You can find more beach safety tips from the DNR right here.
