Water temp...

[Rob_I]

I know this isnt an exact science, but i have never visited the island but plan to in early to mid august. is the big lake still warm enough to swim in up there this time of year?

[BobTidmore]

I donâ??t know what the temperature will be that time of year but there is a web site that displays the real time surface water temperatures for areas around the island.

http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/michigan/m11.html

Bob Tidmore

[kathleen]

the water is almost always perfect in mid august for swimming.I remember as a kid going to the back beach and it was always like bath water.

[jflanagan]

Great site, Thanks Bob.


Just noticed, you can go back and look at old maps. Aug. 2004 doesn't look super warm:
http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/michigan/archive/m11/

Jim

I donâ??t know what the temperature will be that time of year but there is a web site that displays the real time surface water temperatures for areas around the island.

http://www.coastwatch.msu.edu/michigan/m11.html

Bob Tidmore

[Guest]

Having spent many summers on the island I can remeber only 1 time i thought the water was warm.

[Trish Scott]

Last summer was predominantly cool and rainy. The water temps never had a chance to warm up last summer.

The water temps vary around the Island. The coldest beach water is Iron Ore Bay. Sometimes Donegal is the warmest swimming water. Sometimes Cables Bay is awfully nice.

It depends, in part, as to which the way the wind is blowing. (But I'll guarantee you that Iron Ore is always the coldest- the prevailing wind hits that shore a lot.) If it is really blowing, it is churning up the warmer water by the shore and mixing in colder water. (Altho' the shallow water off the western tip of the bay is like bath water in the summer- great for wading. And there is a drop off if you feel like taking a cold plunge momentarily.)

If the lee (east) side of the Island has been fairly calm for a spell, the shallow beach areas have very warm water.

When the water is a bit deeper on the North shore, that is the absolutely warmest water to swim in. Like bath water. Just a bit of a climb back up from the shore to the campground on the bluff!

So get out and explore the beaches and compare water temps for yourself. It's a great way to spend a day. Beach hopping!