The water level in Lake Michigan is nearly 2 feet below average for March, continuing the trend that has been giving pleasure boaters and commercial shippers headaches since 1997. Overall, though, the effects of low water are mixed. Beach lovers have been treated to wide expanses of sand. But some say the low water levels have contributed to the higher bacteria counts that closed some beaches to swimmers in recent years.
Shallower water means less dilution of bacteria.
The low levels mean freighters can't carry as much cargo. More harbors need to be dredged, stirring up mud that contains pollutants that have settled there over the years. Waves crashing into bottoms that haven't been so near the surface for a while have the same stirring effect. Pleasure boaters have difficulty maneuvering in waters where they've never had trouble before. Some say there are benefits.