Losing Ground

I would normally be publishing a literary related post today (look for a Lone Star Book Blog Tour post 3/7/20), but I’ve just returned from a trip to  Muskegon, Michigan and thought to comment on the erosion along the banks of the lake that I observed while there.

Climate change is triggering record high water levels on the Great Lakes impacting not only the coastline, but inland communities as well. Heavy winter and spring precipitation is to blame and lake levels are expected to remain high. Normal evaporation which might otherwise offset the rising waters isn’t occurring due to the extremely cold weather.

Gusting winds and high waves have created swift water currents that have washed away people, roads, bridges, and embankments that previously protected private property. The soil is being undercut by the waves, destroying homes that previously offered spectacular views of long sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets. Desperate efforts are underway to move houses away from the shoreline before they too fall into the water.

Due to the dangers of getting too close to the edge and the extreme cold that kept me bundled up inside, I only got these two photos of the property belonging to my sister and her husband. They’ve lost about 15-20 feet of land in just the last two years, and the gradual disappearance of their yard continues unabated. Fortunately their home was moved back years ago and isn’t in any immediate danger, while their neighbors home is perilously close to the receding embankment.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Wilson has yet to declare a state of emergency. Local jurisdictions like Muskegon are working with county emergency managers, but there is little that can be done to alter the course of Mother Nature.