Sander Scott shows how Lake Michigan's shoreline at Cathead Bay shifts with decades-long cycles of rising and falling water levels. Submerged glacial rocks create hazards for boats and swimmers, while conservation protections keep the beach undeveloped and wild.
Submerged glacial rocks and shallow areas continue to dictate where boats and swimmers can safely go. Lake Michigan's water levels rise and fall over a multi-decade cycle, narrowing and then rebuilding the beach again and again over time. Protected habitat and conservation status ensure that the shoreline remains rustic and undeveloped by design.
