WHAT’S HAPPENING
The increase in water levels is causing drastic beach erosion, much like what we experienced in the mid-1980s and again in the mid-to-late 1990s. During these times homeowners built seawalls and jetties to keep their properties from being destroyed. After the water began to recede, the seawalls and jetties were buried under the beach sand. With the current rise in water levels the buried structures are reappearing. I am documenting this event with fine art.
There’s no telling when the waters will stop rising, but when the water finally recedes, the seawalls once again will be buried and forgotten until, in ten to fifteen years, Lake Michigan begins its cyclical rise.
2013
576.02′
January 2013 Lake Michigan was at a record low.
This was the summer just before one of the hardest winters in decades.
SLIDER TO THE RIGHT:
BEACH IN 2013 (LEFT) SAME BEACH SECTION IN LATE 2014 (RIGHT)
2014
THE WINTER OF 2013/14 = A RECORD REBOUND IN LAKE MICHIGAN’S WATER LEVELS
JAN 2013: 576.02′
NOV 2014: 579.20′
INCREASE OF OVER 3′ OF WATER LEVEL
The winter of 2013/14 brought with it very severe weather, 93% ice coverage, and prolonged days of very cold temperatures. These conditions kept water in Lake Michigan from evaporating, contributing to the drastic rebound of the lake’s levels.
SLIDER TO THE RIGHT:
BEACH IN LATE 2013 (LEFT) SAME BEACH SECTION IN EARLY 2014 (RIGHT)
2015
WATER LEVELS CONTINUED TO RISE, AND BEACHES CONTINUED TO DISAPPEAR
JAN 2013: 576.02′
NOV 2014: 579.20′
JULY 2015: 579.82′
INCREASE OF ALMOST 4′ OF WATER LEVEL
The following winter produced similar weather patterns, and continued the rising water levels due to ice coverage and prolonged cold spells.
SLIDER TO THE RIGHT:
BEACH IN LATE 2015 (LEFT) SAME BEACH SECTION IN EARLY 2016 (RIGHT)
It’s impossible to get into the same positions to get the same image, due to erosion and water.
2016
MORE OF THE SAME
JAN 2013: 576.02′
APRIL 2016: 579.92′
INCREASE OF ALMOST 4′ OF WATER LEVEL
Because the previous winter was an El Niño year, the lake’s ice coverage was less than 30% which should have allowed a considerable amount of water to evaporate, but the opposite seems to have happened. As of this writing Lake Michigan’s water level is higher today than it was in December of 2015.
SLIDER TO THE RIGHT:
BEACH IN AUG 2014 (LEFT) SAME BEACH SECTION IN AUG 2016 (RIGHT)
2017
JULY 2017: 580.76′
LAKE LEVELS INCREASED FROM APRIL BY ALMOST ONE FOOT. HISTORICALLY THE LAKE’S LEVEL PEAKS IN JULY, BUT IN 2013 IT PEAKED IN NOVEMBER. STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS THIS YEAR.
SLIDER TO THE RIGHT:
PRE-DUNE IN 2014 (LEFT) SAME SECTION IN AUGUST 2017 (RIGHT)
Due to increasing water levels, erosion, and other factors, it’s been very difficult to maintain this page with accurate, and timely photo comparisons. However, if you signup to my emails by using the form below I will send an email when I update this page.
CONTACT
Need something different than what I have on my site?
Want to book a photo session?
Contact me: 616-560-3834
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
SECURE CHECKOUT
Your privacy is important. Your information is safe and secure while checking out.