Is it safe to swim in Lake Michigan after it rains?
Additionally, since rain events tend to lead to elevated bacteria levels in the water column, we advise that people avoid swimming after a large rain event.
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Use caution when swimming in Lake Michigan. The bottom is uneven with holes and deep drop-offs.These inshore holes are very dangerous to small children and non-swimmers. The only beach with lifeguards is West Beach.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of fecal coliform bacteria that live in the intestines of animals and humans. The presence of E.coli in the water along Lake Michigan's shoreline is a strong indication that the water was recently contaminated by sewage or animal fecal waste.
Should you shower after swimming in Lake Michigan? Take a shower: Bathe yourself after swimming in a lake in order to maintain hygiene and stay clean. If bacteria has not entered your body, it may be actively resting on your skin, creating a rash or finding an open cut to infect.
Not only is this lake massive - spanning 307 miles in either direction - but its shores also run parallel, causing unique wave shapes. The shapes of these waves are what contribute to rip tides, which are one of the most dangerous things swimmers can encounter in the water.
Stay out of the water ifCloudy water can be a warning that there are more germs in the water than normal. Discolored or smelly water could mean there is a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in the water.
Lake Michigan water temperaturesLake Michigan sees its warmest water temperatures typically from late-June through mid-September. It's not uncommon to have surface water temperatures in the 70s and sometimes even low 80s along the West Michigan lakeshore in that same time frame.
As of Aug. 15, 2023, 24 people have died in Lake Michigan, which is frequently the lake where the most drownings occur. Across the Great Lakes 56 drownings have occurred.
Named the “Most Beautiful Place in the United States,” Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-on any Lake Michigan travel bucket list. You'll find 26 miles of pristine, sandy beach; towering dunes; wooded trails through lofty hardwood forests and an aqua-blue lake.