Low water temperatures in Grand Haven complicate plans, pose risk

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — Water temperatures are lower at Grand Haven State Park than they are in Muskegon and Holland, beginning Friday morning at 47 degrees.

The sub-50 degree readings continuing a weeklong trend that has complicated plans for those camping at the park.

“We’ve been here about a week and a half,” Kurt Prather told News 8. “We’ve only stuck our feet in. Just enough to say ‘ope, too cold’ and get out.”

The frigid summertime water temperatures pose a specific safety risk. Cold shock when you submerge in cold water is especially prevalent on warmer days. Symptoms include increased, spiking heart rate, fast breathing and mental fog. They add up to increase the risk of a drowning episode, particularly for weak swimmers or those with heart and lung conditions.

Additionally, prolonged exposure to cold water can cause hypothermia. The National Weather Service and local Department of Natural Resources rangers warn that both cold shock and hypothermia are possible in warmer temperatures than many swimmers realize.

“Any time you are in the water that’s 40s, 50s, 60s, even 70s, it can drop your body temperature quicker than people plan on,” Andrew LundBorg, park supervisor at Grand Haven State Park, told News 8.

Water temperatures did increase over the course of Friday, and favorable wind conditions will continue to bring them up through the weekend.

“Winds like we are getting today out of the south and southwest, that will usually restore temperatures pretty quickly,” LundBorg added.

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