If the inland lake is connected to Lake Michigan though, forget it. Still, Deborah Knudsen, president of the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she forsees minimal impact on tourism. Just look for the darker blue waters. Knudsen added that the wider beaches and shallower waters may even be a comfort to parents of younger children, who may have been nervous about letting them swim. We've not heard anything from any of our customers.
All indications are that it's going to be a tremendous year.
Besides boaters, low water affects aquatic life and surrounding habitat. Arevalo of the DEQ noted that dredging affects fish habitat, particularly if the dredging is done into rock portions of the lakebed - like the Bois Blanc harbor. Despite the consternation, some people remain calm and philosophical. Harbor Springs harbormaster Bokram recalled the high water days - as recent as 1997. A few years down the road, they'll be just right again.