(WWJ) High water levels on the Great Lakes is forcing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to close campsites -- shortly after they reopened following coronavirus lockdown.
Tawas Point State Park, which is along Lake Huron, has been closed in some areas because of what DNR officials call unprecedented water levels, erosion and flooding. The main road into the park is closed to traffic.
On the west side of the state, Ludington State Park's Jack Pine Campground is closed until further notice. Muskegon State Park's Channel Campground is not taking advance reservations and there are some campsites at Harrisville, Leelanau, Muskegon and Young state parks that are closed. Also:
• Hammond Bay State Harbor is closed for the 2020 season.
• Ludington State Park's Jack Pine Campground is closed until further notice.
• Muskegon State Park's Channel Campground will not take advance reservations during the 2020 season.
• Lime Island Recreation Area is closed for the 2020 season due to submerged docks.
• Mackinac Island State Harbor's electrical conduits are submerged; no electrical service is available this season.
The DNR reported that record-high water levels are taking a toll on infrastructure across the state as flooding and erosion continue to threaten shorelines, rivers and inland lakes. Michigan's waterways face other associated challenges, too, including increased river flows, submerged docks and piers, swimming and boating hazards, and damage to wildlife habitat.
Last month, the Army Corps of Engineers reported that Great Lakes levels likely will stay well above long-term averages, and that levels on lakes Michigan and Huron are 3 feet higher than average. Many DNR-managed sites and facilities have high water-related closures.
While you can't camp at Tawas Point State Park, the park's day-use area is open for biking, hiking, bird watching and more. Limited parking is available near the contact station for visitors to park and walk or bike the roughly half-mile to the day-use area. Carpooling is recommended, and drop-off/pickup of visitors is allowed. Portions of the Sandy Hook Nature Trail are closed.
Micah Jordan, Tawas Point State Park supervisor, suggested that people who have difficulty finding desired reservations at that park should consider Harrisville State Park, just 30 miles north and offering many of the same park amenities.
If you do visit a beach or campground, note that higher waters create additional safety concerns. For example, wakes can cause overflow onto land or docks, meaning that someone could more easily be knocked off a dock. Extra caution is needed when swimming, boating or fishing, too, because higher waters can cause stronger, faster currents (especially around river outlets and piers), deeper and colder water, unpredictable conditions and more debris floating under the water's surface.
When visiting state park swim areas, pay attention to the beach flag warning system and frequently check it for updated warnings; conditions can quickly change. Red flags indicate the water is unsafe and no one should swim in or enter the water.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/HighWaterSafety, Michigan.gov/BeachSafety or Michigan.gov/HighWater.
Bookmark the webpage Michigan.gov/DNRClosures for the latest information on all state campgrounds.
