HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The City of Holland recently added a camera to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s tower at Holland State Park.
This camera, named MiHollandCAM, offers a real-time look at beach conditions and is the first in this area to be used for NOAA research.
The installation of this camera is a joint effort of the City of Holland, NOAA, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Park Township.
Biggby Coffee, which has shops in Holland and Zeeland, is a paying sponsor, according to the city’s statement, which did not indicate how much the coffee seller is paying for the ads, or how that money will be used.
Dr. Greg Dusek, Senior Scientist for NOAA National Ocean Service, stated “This is a great example of collaboration between local, regional, state and federal partners to collect innovative environmental data critical for public safety. This video imagery will provide another valuable source of lake observations to the water level and meteorological information NOAA already collects at Holland Beach, and is extremely important to improve our rip current forecasting on the Great Lakes.”This camera will be also used to:
• Promote red-flag education on alerting residents to dangerous swimming conditions.• Help first responders during emergencies.• Promote Holland as a home city via liveinhollandmichigan.com• Promote Holland on social media.
Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief, said with the Great Lakes at the highest levels in 30 years, the camera provides life-saving information to beach-goers.
This is the City’s eighth web camera branded as MiHollandCAM.
All city web cameras are online at MiHollandCAM.cityofholland.com and are used across all City social media sites.
Since 2017, the city’s cameras have logged more than 700,000 viewers.
