(New Buffalo, MI) - In addition to snow, Mother Nature today is also providing very strong northerly winds heightening concerns about further erosion along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

 

The forecast calls for waves on Lake Michigan to reach up to 20 feet later today and tonight.

 

Bob Stratton with Service 1 Marine near the Michigan line estimated the waves in New Buffalo were already at 15 feet when he was at the lakefront late this morning.  With all boats out of their slips, Stratton said the major concern right now is further beach erosion with Lake Michigan still being at or near record high levels.

 

Over the past couple of years, some homes along the southern tip of Lake Michigan have fallen over the edge of eroded dunes while many others are at risk of toppling over.  Many of the beaches have been covered by water the past couple of years leaving shorelines with no beaches to break up the waves fully exposed to the power of incoming high waves.  Many lakefront property owners have had large rocks hauled in and placed on the shoreline to provide added protection. 

 

“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” Stratton said.