Increasing Lake Michigan water levels are creating new challenges for boat owners.
Some people say they’ve never seen levels at the height they are now, and they’re preparing for the lake to keep rising.
“They actually say it’s going to go up another foot,” said Gary Johnson, dockmaster at South Shore Yacht Club. “It would be bad. Some of the docks would start going under water and it would be tough to operate out here.”
Johnson says one of the worst impacts would be during the winter, which would prompt higher ice levels that could leave a damaging effect.
Already there are piers sitting underwater, but concerns lie farther into the lake.
“A lot of the break wall on the south side of us is underwater,” Johnson said. “We don’t have the protection we used to have.”
Despite the challenging water levels, it’s not dampening enthusiasm for boat owners to get out on the water this summer.