Why Lake Michigan Was Named America’s Deadliest Lake

When something is by name deemed "great," that's high praise. A lofty title that sets a high standard. So when you have an entire set of freshwater lakes dubbed The Great Lakes surrounding you, on almost every side, it's a pretty big flex to have these so close. I have multiple friends who live on the ocean coastlines and can't comprehend the size of Lake Michigan.

So, when a recent report named Lake Michigan as America's deadliest lake, it makes you question how great the lake really is. Here is what makes Lake Michigan so deadly.

700 Lake Michigan Drownings

While Lake Michigan can appear calm, appearances can be deceiving. The Travel is a digital publication dedicated to travel by highlighting landmarks, history, and more, hoping to inspire and educate would-be travelers.

READ MORE: Unsurprisingly, Two Michigan Beaches Among Best In The US |

Earlier this week, the publication published a surprising article deeming Lake Michigan the deadliest lake in America. The article reports that there have been over 700 drownings in Lake Michigan since 2010, with a total of 1,331 across all the Great Lakes.

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What Makes Lake Michigan So Dangerous

If you've ever been warned not to jump off the pier in Holland or Grand Haven, this would be why: rip currents. These powerful and unpredictable currents can pull swimmers underwater or far out into the lake, eventually resulting in drownings, according to The Travel. The other area of concern is underwater drop-offs.

How To Stay Safe Against Rip Currents

On the first day of swimming season at Holland State Park, two people tragically drowned on the same day because of rip currents, so it is important to pay attention to the flag warnings posted by the Coast Guard.

• A green flag means OK TO SWIM!
• A yellow flag means swimming with caution.
• A red flag means DO NOT SWIM.

If you do find yourself caught in a rip current, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says to "swim parallel to the shore and swim back to land at an angle." Swimming straight back to shore will not break out of the current, leading to a potential drowning.

So while Lake Michigan is generally a safe place to swim, there are unfortunately deadly circumstances to be aware of while out on the lake.