Shelf ice often lines the beaches of Lake Michigan this time of year, including this week in Washington Park in Michigan City, where, despiste warnings from the Parks & Recreation Department, people continue to venture out onto the ice. Staff photo by Amanda Haverstick
The shifting ice can be filled with cracks and holes, and is someone falls in, they would likely die, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, which warns people to keep away from piers in the winter, unlike this visitor to Washington Park in Michigan City last week. Staff photo by Amanda Haverstick
While a casual glance might suggest you could walk all the way from Indiana Dunes State Park to Chicago, the ice is unstable and the Lake Michigan is not frozen solid. Photo provided by Indiana Dunes State Park
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MICHIGAN CITY — If you’ve gazed out over Lake Michigan recently, you’ve probably noticed the ice, which makes it appear you could hike to Chicago across the frozen lake.
Don’t try it. In fact, walking out onto the shelf ice even close to shore can be a deadly mistake.
“Winter has settled in, and with the cold temps brings the freezing of Lake Michigan. The crashing waves become still, and the sight of shelf ice can be spectacular,” according to a statement from Dig the Dunes.
“Many who visit our beaches in the winter have never seen anything like it. When out on the beach, one can feel like they are in Alaska … But as beautiful as shelf ice is, it can also be very dangerous.”
Shelf ice usually occurs on the east and southern shores of Lake Michigan, the result of winds and waves pushing ice against the beach. Hills and mounds can be created, making it hard to resist walking over it, according to Dig the Dunes.
“However, it’s very important to stay off of the lake. Though it looks frozen, it is not. There are many pockets that can shift and move, or aren’t frozen at all, and with one step, you can be deep into a very, very cold lake,” the group warns.
Even on those days when it seems the lake is frozen as far as the eye can see, it’s just not the case.
“Shelf ice that occurs on Lake Michigan is not like the ice that freezes on a small pond. It is not uniform. Strong winds can push the ice around, which can make it look frozen solid one day and then full of gaps the next.
“Not only could you fall into the water, you could be on a piece of ice that breaks off and starts to float away.”
Earlier this month, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter had to rescue 18 people trapped on a Lake Erie ice floe which floated out into the lake. An Ohio salvage company returned the next day to retrieve an ATV and snowmobiles that were left behind.
In Michigan City, where signs are posted in Washington Park warning people to stay off the ice – signs which are routinely ignored by visitors – the Parks & Recreation Department warns that the ice along the shore is not solid.
“Lightweight with air pockets, this ice was pushed onto and near the beach by wind and wave action, forming an attractive shoreline with deadly invisible holes,” a statement from the department said.
“Beautiful but deadly, the snowy beach looks inviting for a solitary stroll, but anyone “applying even a small amount of weight on shelf ice can easily fall through and into frigid water that can quickly kill,” the department warned.
“If you fall through, hypothermia will very quickly set in and survival is unlikely.”
And because of the constant shifting of the layers of ice, you may not even be able to find the hole you fell through to try and get out.
The Lighthouse Pier, also beautiful this time of year, is another hazard. The pier is ice covered, which can lead to slipping and falling, the Park Department warns.
“The forces of Lake Michigan are difficult enough to manage during the warm weather months without adding the more severe elements of winter. Please exercise sound common sense and respect Lake Michigan! Stay off the shelf ice and stay off the Lighthouse Pier.”
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project also warns to avoid piers and shelf ice due to slick and unstable conditions.
Recently at South Beach in South Haven, Michigan, the pier was covered with a thick layer of ice, but despite the hazard, many people continued to walk out to take photos and enjoy the view, according to Dave Benjamin, executive director.
He advises people to steer clear of piers after seeing people climb off such structures to cross the ice.
“Because there are currents, that ice is going to be less stable,” he said. “And if you were to fall through, that current might pull you right under.
“And there is no rescue. There’s no rescue for that situation. Hopefully they find you in the springtime.”
And, he said, that the highest mounds of shelf ice can be the thinnest parts, and if somebody fell through, they might not be visible from the beach. Even if they’re only in waist-deep water, this ice mound may be 3 feet over their head. There’s nothing to climb.
According to the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, the allure of shelf ice will always draw visitors, and there are safe ways to enjoy it.
“Winter’s majesty is breathtakingly apparent this time of year along the southern shores of Lake Michigan ... Waves crashing into floating ice that collects along the shore and re-freezing is what creates the shelf ice, which is not attached to the bottom of the lake, but only to the shore.”
But while “beautiful to look at and tempting to traverse,” shelf ice formations are dangerous and caution must be taken when visiting beaches to view them, the tourism agency says.
“While appearing to be stable and solid, in reality it often is not. Often hidden by snow drifts, cracks, thin spots, holes and faults can be found among the mounds.”
If you do want to view the ice, the agency advises, “Enjoy these spectacular winter formations from a safe distance. Stay on the shore, and away from any slippery surfaces near the water. Be cautious and never walk on the shelf ice. It’s very beautiful, but potentially dangerous.”
The SSCVA recommends several locations in the Indiana Dunes National Park to view shelf ice. The best elevation is at West Beach on the Dune Succession trail at the top of the stairs, although it can tricky during heavy snow and ice.
Observing from the West Beach bath house stairs gives a slightly elevated view above the beach. Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, as well as Lake View in Beverly Shores are also good spots, with fairly close parking to the viewing locations.
And of course, Washington Park, if you stay off the ice and pier.
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