July 29, 2008

Rip Current Sensor Installed in Grand Haven

Muskegon Chronicle - Researchers say they hope technology long used to predict dangerous weather conditions will help them warn Lake Michigan swimmers about dangerous rip currents.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently installed an Acoustic Doppler Profiler near the south pier at Grand Haven State Park. The device uses sonar to measure the strength of currents along the beach and pier.

Rip currents draw water near beaches away from the shore and into deeper areas of the lake, creating a vacuum-like effect that can prevent swimmers from swimming back to safety. The currents can be present at any time, but are most severe when there are strong west winds.

Grand Haven is the first location where the Doppler device is being used to measure the strength of currents along Great Lakes beaches, The Muskegon Chronicle reported Saturday.

See: Muskegon Chronicle Article

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