Lake Michigan, despite being a freshwater lake, experiences dangerous currents, including true rip currents. These powerful, channeled streams of water flow away from the shoreline and represent one of the most significant hazards to swimmers in the Great Lakes region. They are responsible for numerous rescues and fatalities each year. A rip current is a narrow, forceful current that moves water rapidly from the nearshore back out toward the open lake, unlike an undertow, which is a myth that pulls swimmers down.
The Formation of Lake Michigan Rip Currents
The mechanics that create currents in Lake Michigan differ slightly from ocean tides but produce a hazardous flow of water away from the beach. The primary force driving the formation of these currents is strong wave action, often generated by persistent onshore winds, which causes water to pile up near the shore. When this mass of water accumulates between the beach and a submerged sandbar, pressure builds until the water finds a weak point to escape back into the open lake.
This escaping water carves a channel through the sandbar, forming the fast-moving, narrow rip current that pulls everything in its path offshore. Sandbars are constantly shifting due to wave action, which means the location of rip currents can change daily, making them unpredictable. Additionally, fixed structures like piers, jetties, and breakwaters play a defining role in current formation unique to the Great Lakes, creating “structural currents.”
Water moving parallel to the shore, called a longshore current, is forcefully deflected offshore when it meets the rigid boundary of a pier or breakwall. Structural currents are often permanently present and can be dangerously strong, sometimes exceeding five miles per hour. When a structural current combines with a rip current or longshore current, the resulting chaotic flow can create a “washing machine” effect, severely hindering a swimmer’s attempt to escape.
Identifying and Avoiding Dangerous Conditions
Identifying the signs of dangerous water conditions before entering the lake is the most effective form of prevention. One visual cue is a noticeable break in the pattern of incoming waves, where the waves are not rolling toward the shore but seem flatter and calmer. This deceptive patch of quiet water is often the path of the offshore-moving current.
Look for a channel of noticeably different-colored water, which may appear darker or muddier than the surrounding lake due to the current churning up sand from the bottom. Floating debris, foam, or seaweed moving steadily away from the shore is another clear indication of a rip current’s presence. If you suspect a current, the safest choice is to move down the beach or simply stay out of the water.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issues “Beach Hazards Statements” and “Rip Current Warnings” for the Great Lakes, and checking the forecast before heading out is an important safety step. Many public beaches use a flag warning system to communicate the risk level. A red flag signifies a high risk where life-threatening waves and currents are expected, meaning all swimmers must stay out of the water. A yellow flag indicates a moderate risk, suggesting conditions are favorable for rip current formation. Swimming only at designated beaches with active lifeguards and never swimming alone significantly lowers the risk of incident.
Survival Strategies When Caught
If you are unexpectedly pulled into a current, the most important initial action is to remain calm and avoid panicking. Swimmers should not attempt to fight the current by swimming straight back toward the shore, which will lead to rapid fatigue.
The recommended survival strategy is to “Flip, Float, and Follow.” First, flip onto your back and float to keep your head above water and conserve energy. While floating, follow the current to assess which direction it is pulling you. Since rip currents are typically narrow, swimming parallel to the shoreline is the most effective way to escape the current’s grasp.
Once you have moved sideways out of the narrow channel, you can swim at an angle back toward the beach. If you are too tired to swim out, continue to float and signal for help by facing the shore and waving your arms. Rip currents tend to dissipate just beyond the breaking wave zone, and the waves may eventually help push you back toward the shore.