HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – It may feel like Spring, but on Lake Michigan it”s still Winter.
It looked like a Summer night at Holland State Park Sunday evening. Hundreds watched the sunset, while some kayaked, even paddle boarded and others walked on the icebergs.
An unseasonably warm weekend has ice melting on Lake Michigan and Sgt. Cal Kuening of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team is urging extreme caution while enjoying the beauty of the lake. He says to stay off the icebergs as the waves can undercut and dig into the iceberg.
“What they don’t realize is they could be be standing on a shelf actually out there with nothing underneath them. The ice could crask and you fall into the lake.”
Kuening also says the ice can shift when waves come in and trap kayakers and paddle boarders.
“Even if ice washes over the kayak it can push the kayak under the water. If channel is covered in ice and we can’t get boats out there. So if somebody slips in the water and we can’t get a boat out there from the Coast Guard, you’re nearest rescue is going to be a helicopter.
Temps will be in the low 60’s Monday which will bring more people to area beaches. It won’t feel like Winter again till probably next weekend according to the NWS in Grand Rapids.
