The Detroit News. The large beach area by Holland State Park is partially the result of lower Lake Michigan water levels. Researchers say the reasons behind the lake temperature increases, and how long they may last, are unclear.
Scientists consider Lake Michigan's increase, though slight, to be rapid.
We're really only at the start of knowing why the lakes are the way they are. As lake levels fall, warmer temperatures and excessive shoreline development may together harm waters along 3,000 miles of Michigan coastline. About 4,300 building permits were issued for these fragile lands since 1990, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality said. This whole issue has become a real pain for responsible planners. Just as they are on inland suburban streets, new shore structures would be set back from 35 to 185 feet from lake bluffs.