Experts caution safety as beach season opens Friday: Half of all Great Lakes drownings occur in Lake Michigan

CHICAGO — For Pam Kaloustian, the opening of beach season in Chicago signifies something special. As an avid swimmer, Kaloustian travels to Oak Street Beach at least once a week every summer to enjoy the water, sun and sights.

“The Park District puts up lane lines that run parallel with the pavement right at Oak Street,” said Kaloustian, 65, of Arlington Heights. “Going around and just being able to see buildings as we take a breath, it’s just unbelievable. It’s breathtaking.”

Kaloustian said nothing compares to open-water swimming.

But even experienced swimmers can run into trouble with unpredictable weather conditions. According to statistics, Lake Michigan is the most dangerous of the Great Lakes for swimming.

As the city gears up to open its beaches Friday, emergency responders and the Chicago Park District caution swimmers to be vigilant.

Dave Benjamin is co-founder and executive director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. The project tracks drowning statistics across the Great Lakes and reported that 41 of the 85 Great Lakes drownings in 2023 occurred in Lake Michigan.

“Half of all Great Lakes drownings will happen in Lake Michigan, and half of Lake Michigan drownings will happen in the south end of Lake Michigan,” Benjamin said. “Right now, we’re really at the beginning of the season for drownings.”

Benjamin said year to year, weather is the biggest predictor of drownings across the Midwest. The more sunny days, the more beachgoers, and often, the more drownings. But, there are also a number of seasonal hazards that Chicagoans should be aware of, he added.

This Memorial Day weekend, Benjamin said people should keep in mind that the water in Lake Michigan tends to be far colder than the air, especially at the start of the season. Swimmers should not expect temperatures to be similar to a pool, he said.

Chicagoans who travel to the lake this weekend may experience additional weather hazards. According to the National Weather Service, there is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Friday and after 1 p.m. Sunday, and showers are likely Friday afternoon. Saturday will be sunny, with a high of 69 degrees.

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