As summer unfolds in Chicago, the vibrant scene of packed restaurant patios and bustling beaches continues to draw residents and visitors alike. However, this season brings a notable change: more available space at the city’s beloved beaches due to the steady decline of Lake Michigan’s water levels.
According to data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the water levels of Lake Michigan have decreased by approximately 3.5 feet since reaching record highs in 2020. This decline has been consistent over the past five years, altering the lakefront’s landscape in various areas.
For instance, in Edgewater, a new pathway created between two popular beaches has opened access to a protected natural area, welcoming more beachgoers. Meanwhile, in South Shore, residents who faced threats to their buildings from elevated water levels are now experiencing relief thanks to the decrease.
The recent decrease in lake levels is part of a broader cycle of extremes that have characterized the Great Lakes over the past decade. With a record low in January 2013 and unprecedented highs in 2020, Lake Michigan’s water level fluctuations have drawn the attention of researchers.
Megan Royal, Detroit district chief of the Watershed Hydrology Section with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, explains that there are two significant patterns to observe when assessing the water levels of the Great Lakes. The first is the annual rise and fall, where winter typically sees lower levels due to reduced runoff from snow and rain. Levels typically peak in summer before decreasing again with late summer’s drier conditions and increased evaporation.
The second pattern takes a more extended view, incorporating long-term climatological variables such as precipitation and runoff. From 2015 to 2020, the water level increases were notably above normal, largely attributed to the wet seasons experienced in the Great Lakes basin that led to record high levels in 2020.
Data indicates that between 2013 and 2016 alone, Lake Michigan’s water levels surged by four feet. This rise in levels had significant consequences, such as swallowing parts of the 12th Street beach on the Museum Campus and completely submerging the Foster Avenue Dog Beach.
By late 2019, the soaring waters were threatening the shoreline from Rogers Park to South Shore, leading to closures of several beaches in Rogers Park that have yet to reopen. As of now, data from the National Weather Service highlights a trend of decreased precipitation and snowfall within the Chicago area, which could be a factor contributing to the lake’s drop in water levels.
Royal adds that while the five-year decline is still being analyzed to determine if it deviates from typical long-term patterns, it is crucial to clarify that current levels sit about six inches below the average from 1918 onward. Today, the lake’s level remains around two feet above the historical low recorded in January 2013.
Though the overall level may seem insignificant, the impact of a couple of feet can be substantial in terms of the exposed shoreline, depending on factors like sand grade and wind conditions. Royal notes that such shifts can uncover significant stretches of beach.
The fluctuating conditions of Lake Michigan are of paramount importance, particularly for residents living along the lakefront. Neighborhoods such as Rogers Park, Edgewater, and South Shore boast some of the most residential lake access in Chicago. Concerns over rising water levels and beach erosion were pressing issues for residents and local leaders alike during the height of the 2020 crisis.
In South Shore, community advocates have been pushing for shoreline stabilization measures, such as breakwaters, to mitigate flooding risks between 67th and 73rd streets. The high water levels previously posed threats to roadways and residential structures along South Shore Drive.
Juilet Dervin, a dedicated member of the South Side Lakefront Erosion Task Force, expressed relief as flood conditions have lessened in recent years with the water’s retreat. She recalls the grim state of the streets in 2020: “the streets were a mess,” she said, noting that the impacts of flooding regularly disrupted bus services and caused sewer overflows, creating safety hazards.
With the lower water levels now visible, Dervin and her neighbors hope this window of opportunity presents a chance for necessary long-term shoreline protection efforts. “We’re really grateful, but the fact is, the lake goes up and down,” she cautioned, emphasizing the need for proactive measures during this period of lower levels.
While the current status of the task force’s breakwater proposals remains uncertain, local leaders like State Rep. Curtis Tarver have been involved in advocating for funding aimed at shoreline protection. In 2019, urgent stabilization work was undertaken along the Far North Side, and multiple government agencies collaborated to install rock walls at beaches such as Juneway Beach in Rogers Park, which showcased the urgency of addressing erosive conditions.
Despite the recent decrease in lake levels, the beaches of Juneway, Rogers, and Howard in Rogers Park remain closed due to erosion concerns. The evolving narrative of Lake Michigan’s water levels continues to impact the lives of those living along its shores, marking a summer of both challenges and newfound opportunities for Chicago’s lakefront communities.
image source from：blockclubchicago
