Nearshore
Crisp Point lighthouse on Lake Superior. Image: David Marvin

Flash point: The lighthouse Lake Superior nearly swallowed

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We asked Great Lakes photographers to send us some of their favorite or toughest Great Lakes shots and a bit of a story behind the picture. This image and explanation are by David Marvin. Most people have never heard of the Crisp Point Lighthouse, much less ever visited it. It stands on the Lake Superior shore fourteen miles west of Whitefish Point, connected to the rest of the world by only a winding seasonal gravel road. Originally, Crisp Point housed only a lifesaving station, starting in 1876.

Nearshore
Lake Michigan beach at Grand Haven State Park is left covered in garbage after the Fourth of July. Image: Jamie Cross

Beach cleanup no celebration

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One piece of trash isn’t a big deal. Multiply that by the thousands that flock to the beach for firework events and there’s a big problem. Beach officials are left cleaning up littered beaches after Fourth of July fireworks.

Nearshore
Many beaches in Michigan will not be monitored with federal funds this summer. (Photo: USGS)

Beach funding dwindles

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Michigan received $152,000 in federal grants in 2014 to monitor the cleanliness of its lakes and beaches.

That’s more than $200,000 less than the state was allotted in 2013.

Nearshore
Jeopardygraphic

Jeopardy in July: Beaches of Lake Michigan

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This is part of our “Jeopardy in July for Lake Lovers” feature, where we will post Great Lakes trivia throughout the month. Check back for the answers – and new questions. survey solutions
The answer to the previous question: Lake Michigan islands include Beaver, North and South Manitou, Washington and Rock islands.

Nearshore
The app gives beach specific forecasts and hazard warnings like this. Photo: Great Lakes Commission.

Beach safety app adds new hazard warning feature

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There is yet another reason to stay glued to our phones. The myBeachCast smartphone app, released in 2011 by the Great Lakes Commission, has just added a new feature – beach hazard warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The free app is available for download here. Although drownings appear to be on track to fall from a record high in 2012, the overall trend from the past several years have seen consistent increase, according to the Great Lakes Surf Commission. The hazard warnings on the app informs users when and where there is a potential for dangerous rip currents.