SOUTH HAVEN, MI – When the Lake Michigan conditions became dangerous in South Haven, a single red flag with a white “no swimming” illustration has warned people to stay out of the water.
A new warning could be in place this summer.
If approved by city leaders, officials would fly two red flags to signal when the swimming area is closed in adverse Lake Michigan conditions usually featuring large waves.
South Haven officials are considering the switch to its beach safety flag system to better align with the new warning rules that began rolling out at state park beaches in 2022.
At beaches across the state controlled by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a single red flag means there is a “high hazard” due to water conditions.
In 2022, the DNR began adding a new flag designation -- flying two red flags to signal when the swimming area is closed, Chief of Parks and Recreation for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Ron Olson told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.
Related: New double red flags mean no swimming at Grand Haven State Park and, soon, other beaches
The Michigan DNR introduced double red flags to some beaches in the spring of 2022, and the agency rolled the new flag system out to other locations through the year, Olson said. He anticipates all DNR beaches with flags will be set up to use the double red flag system in 2023, he said.
The city of South Haven is in charge of the rules at its two municipal beaches on Lake Michigan: North Beach and South Beach. The city monitors conditions at the beaches and uses a system of green, yellow, red and grey flags to communicate warnings to beachgoers, which is similar to the flag system used by the DNR before the double red flags began appearing as a new addition.
City staff plans to recommend the South Haven City Council discuss implementing the flag system change in 2023 to be consistent with the State of Michigan, according to a Nov. 21 document about beach safety that City Manager Kate Hosier shared with MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.
“As part of the ongoing, annual review of procedures, we have reached out to other lakeshore communities and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their best practices and summer experiences,” Hosier told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.
“From my understanding, the DNR will be changing the flag system for all the state parks. Based on that information, and the fact that the State of Michigan has more beaches than any municipality in the State of Michigan, staff suggested that we follow the DNR’s flag system change,” Hosier said, with a recommendation that the city continue to be in control of when the flags should change based on conditions present.
“The rationale is that by having a cohesive flag color system, residents and visitors from in and out of the state will be understand the same flag system,” Hosier said.
Related: Lake Michigan’s deadly trend continues in 2022 despite increase in safety measures
The flag system is meant to inform people of the possible hazards of entering the water based on the conditions of the day. Officials use a variety of factors to track the conditions and update the flags accordingly, Olson said. It can also be used if there is debris or other harmful substances in the water, he said.
Olson said it is up to local communities with beaches under local control to come up with their own rules and regulations for beaches including the flag system.
Beach towns such as South Haven have been a part of ongoing discussions with the DNR and other stakeholders about the issue, including during a meeting in the city on Nov. 4, Olson said.
South Haven hosted the Beach Safety Summit in November, Hosier said, and representatives from local governments from up and down West Michigan attended as well as State of Michigan officials. The summit provided a time to learn and exchange ideas on safety protocols, new technology, and other tools being utilized, Hosier said.
The DNR does not have any control over what municipalities such as South Haven do, Olson said, though the different jurisdictions are aware of the DNR’s updates.
Patrons sometimes don’t pay attention to the jurisdiction operating the beach, he said.
“So we’re appreciative of the collaboration discussed with local rescue units,” Olson said. “What we want is to have public understanding at the greatest level possible.”
The DNR is not trying to push its system on local municipalities, Olson said, but the more municipalities that adopt the same standard would be better for understanding, from a public perspective.
The change to add double red flags was made to help keep people safe, Olson said, adding, “We thought it was a better and more clear message for the public.”
Ten people drowned off the Lake Michigan shoreline off Michigan beaches by the time the summer swimming season concluded on Labor Day weekend this year.
Beaches increased safety measures this year in an effort to reduce drownings. Rip current warning signs and a rescue ring were installed at Laketown Beach in Ottawa County, and life jacket stations were added to beaches in South Haven.
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