The extremely high water levels on Lake Michigan may be slowly decreasing around the area, but significant storm systems this time of year can create havoc along the shoreline. Land erosion has necessitated seawalls and rip-rock placement in many areas this past spring and summer. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Michigan water levels dropped slightly in August but are still at near-record highs. Mike Kahr from Death’s Door Marine in Gills Rock says shoreline owners should be prepared for more erosion this fall.
Kahr has worked marine construction for the past 40 years and says a similar demand was seen back in 1986 when Lake Michigan recorded the highest water levels ever.