What to know before swimming in Lake Michigan
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Despite those threatening skies, a green flag means swimming is allowed. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
It's that time in Chicago when sunbathers crowd the sand and cement, boats fill the harbors and swimmers cool off in Lake Michigan.
- Sadly, summerlike weather also means more drownings and water-related injuries.
State of play: Chicago's 22 public beaches are open now through Labor Day weekend.
The latest: The park district updates swimming conditions each day around 11am based on weather and surf conditions and again at 1:30pm for water-quality conditions.
- Green indicates swimming is permitted, and red means it's not.
By the numbers: Drowning is a leading cause of death for children, according to the CDC, and nonfatal drowning can result in long-term health problems.
- More than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occurred each year from 2012–2021. That's about 11 a day.
- There were 81 Great Lakes drownings from January to November last year, with 36 of those in Lake Michigan, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reported.
- The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office reports that there have been 20 drowning deaths this year.
Boating
We're not a coastal city, but anyone who has walked or driven past The Playpen knows this is a boating town.
In fact, Boating Mag listed us as one of the most iconic cities to experience by boat in 2022.
Yes, but: Boating can also be dangerous, even if the boat is idle. A woman died near The Playpen last year.
Context: In Illinois, all boats and watercraft with a motor or sail must be registered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and must display their registration.
- Kids as young as 10 can operate a boat, but it has to have low horsepower and they must be accompanied by an adult.
- A law passed last year requires a boating safety certificate for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1998, operating a boat with an electric motor with more than 10 horsepower.
Zoom in: Illinois offers free in-person boating courses, but the closest ones on the current schedule are in Lake County.
- If you're renting a boat, do your research. Find a captain and company that know the conditions well. You don't need a "Party Captain."
- Learn CPR, especially if you're spending the summer on a boat.
Swimming
For parents or anyone else swimming with children or more vulnerable swimmers, designate a water watcher. The Department of Children and Family Services even created this handy badge you can wear!
- This means: constantly watch all children in or near water, stay by the water unless relieved by another watcher, and don't get sucked into your phone.
- Stay sober and alert.
Safety tips:
- It seems obvious, but learn to swim. The Chicago Park District offers free and affordable classes, but they fill up fast, so sign up soon. UIC also offers adult classes.
- During rip currents, relax, swim laterally then to shore, but don't swim against the current.
- Don't swim alone or at night.
The bottom line: There's no shame in fearing the water, especially a lake that can be like an ocean. Plenty of people never took swimming lessons growing up, but it's never too late to start.