For vacation -Was kind of blown away by the near-record high water levels in Lake Michigan. (records set already in other Great Lakes). The last time we were there, it was way lower. For me it's first world vacation issue - place like South Haven which we passed thru heading up, had it's non-main beaches gone and the main beaches greatly diminished (Crowding a lot of Chicago FIBS into smaller space).
Frankfort -The town we stayed near had lake water broaching on a main road. The town is fortunate to have a massive main beach area, -it's still a big area, but much smaller. The water, without wave action, is only a foot or two below the breaker wall. No endless walks up the shoreline though, because there is no accessible shoreline to walk.
Some of the resort and homes up and down the beach had their beaches gone, and access stairs washed away. Place called Watervale is on an inland lake, but also accesses Lake Michigan beach area - I took a look and it was gone as could be.
About 5 years ago, we rented a place that featured awesome beach shoreline access between Harbor Springs and Mackinaw - glad we didn't pick that place again, because I'm certain the access is gone.
Besides vacationers, homeowners etc - there are real issues with roads, and safety concerns where marina electrical stuff that goes under. Larger scale, I have no clue about utilities - water treatment plants and even nuclear power plants ability to handle potential even higher water.
Anyways here is a
Scientific American Article on this -some of if is weather, but lays blame on climate change. This will be a new normal, it appears.
Polar vortex, less evaporation in winter, then heat increase and more rain from sudden evaporation. Lots of variables mentioned. Interesting [expletive]. The one part that I don't see mentioned - wouldn't rising sea levels from polar ice cap find a way to the great lakes? Might be a dumb question. I guess they can test for salinity.
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