A lakeshore home in White River Township near Montague was completely destroyed when it fell over the Lake Michigan bluff on New Year’s Eve due to erosion.
Shoreline erosion creating wave of concern.
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
WHITEHALL — Nearly 100 area residents gathered at the White Lake Community Library Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, to hear from experts about water issues, including shoreline erosion.
Lake Michigan’s near-record high water level is causing serious erosion problems along the shoreline. Several homes and cottages are in peril of falling into Lake Michigan, and a few have already met their demise.
Home owners are scrambling to protect their homes with costly measures such as moving homes back from the lake or installing seawalls.
Communities have also faced major infrastructure issues due to the rising waters.
Longbridge Road in Pentwater was completely flooded in 2019. This Oceana County Road Commission photo was taken last June.
Longbridge Road in Pentwater was closed for seven months due to flooding. The Oceana County Road Commission raised the road a foot higher so it could finally be re-opened. The entire project came with an approximate $400,000 price tag.
Residents had to take a 9-mile detour to get to the other side of Pentwater Lake while the road was closed, causing major inconveniences and safety concerns.
The White Lake causeway over the White River that connects the cities of Montague and Whitehall has been reduced to one lane since last spring due to flooding. After heavy rains in the spring and fall, the major artery has been completely closed on several different occasions — disconnecting the neighboring towns.
“I’m sure erosion is on the minds of many people here,” said Ashley Elgin. Elgin is a resource benthic ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Environmental Research Lab in Muskegon.
This house in Claybanks Township was gutted by Lake Michigan waves during a storm with strong winds the night before Thanksgiving.
Elgin, along with her husband Erick Elgin, were two of the three experts who presented during the two-hour meeting. Erick Elgin is a water resource educator with the Michigan State University Extension. The audience also heard from Kathy Evans, who is the environmental programs manager for the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission. WMSDRC is a federal and state designated agency that serves Oceana, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo and Lake counties.
“2019 was an extremely wet year,” Ashley Elgin said. “It’s going to be breaking some records.” December was just “1 inch shy” of breaking records for that month, she said.
Lake Michigan’s level is expected to continue to rise during 2020.
“Any water body connected to the Great Lakes will be affected,” she said. In addition to the structural issues, rising water levels are also a “major contributor to nutrient imbalance.”
“We love our lakes in Michigan — they give us a sense of place,” said Erick Elgin. “Unfortunately, we love our lakes a little too hard.”
Another photo of the home near Montague that fell over the Lake Michigan bluff. The home next to it is dangerously close to the edge.
Removing natural vegetation to build homes along the lakeshore also causes erosion, he said. Docks and seawalls “compromise the ecology of the lake.” The water expert said “nearshore septic systems” also have an impact.
“Even if you have a functioning septic system, you can still have problems with the lake. We can do things that mitigate those issues.”
Evans said that WMSDRC has done a lot in recent years to “restore shoreline habitat on Muskegon Lake.” In doing so, the economy has dramatically improved in the community. She said the restoration efforts have resulted in a $12 million increase in property values. Recreation activity has increased, yielding over $1 million. “Putting in $1 million (to restore the habitat), brought in over $66 million over a 10-year period.”
An approximate 600-foot portion of North Lakeshore Drive in Juniper Beach in the Silver Lake area washed away in December, cutting off access to two cottages.
In addition to shoreline erosion, the experts talked about other issues affecting local lakes, such as invasive species, harmful algal blooms, PFAs and the warming climate.
“2019 was the second warmest year on record,” said Erick Elgin. By the year 2050, there will be no naturally-producing walleye in any lake in Newaygo County as lake temperatures continue to rise.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive species from lake to lake, boat owners must be vigilant about cleaning their boats. A new law that took effect last March requires watercraft users in Michigan to take steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. “Pentwater has a serious issue,” an audience member said. “Boats are not being rinsed.”
The driveway to a home in Juniper Beach is completely cut off after the road washed out due to erosion.
Department of Natural Resources conservation officers enforce the new law, and boaters could face a fine for not complying. Boat washing stations are often available at municipal marinas and launches.
There are 51 non-native species, including both fish and plant life, in the Pere Marquette-White Watershed alone, said Ashley Elgin. Not all of those species are invasive.
Although the zebra mussel may be more well-known among the general public, the quagga mussel is the real threat, Ashley Elgin said. “They’re a much bigger problem.”
Erick Elgin also talked about the harmful effects agriculture can have on bodies of water. “When we till up the soil, it opens it up to erosion.” Agricultural practices can contribute to groundwater pollution, if not properly managed. Contamination sources include pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and underground storage tanks. Farms that conduct “Best Management Practices” optimize crop growth and protect groundwater at the same time.
A brand-new couch, along with several other household items, tumbled into Lake Michigan when strong waves attacked a cottage in Claybanks Township.
The experts advised the audience to work together with neighborhood groups and watershed associations to tackle the issues. “Make a collective change,” Erick Elgin said.
“We need to keep our heads up,” he said. “We can’t get crippled by these issues. Stay positive.”
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