- Oct 12, 2007
- 12,916
- Boat Info
- '89 Sea Ray 390 Express
'00 Sea Ray 185 BR
- Engines
- mercruiser 7.4L inboards
Mercruiser 4.3L/Alpha 1
So, I am thinking they might need a boat......to get to their boat.
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Doesn't it seem unusual that fixed docks would be installed lower than X" ABOVE the historic high water level? I think I read someplace that we're still more than a foot away from all time highs on Lake Michigan. Much closer than that for an April record high but still...
This whole water level thing is pretty ironic to me. I can remember distinctly complaining backwards and forwards about how high the docks were 10-15 years ago when I owned a low-to-the-water 24' Baja. "Good lord, I need a ladder to get out of this thing, why are these docks SOOO high". ha.
The issue is the tides.
Wind tides we call them. Docks were dry Saturday. Lake Michigan is so narrow that a wind from the north blows millions of gallons of water down the lake into the harbors on the south end. Michigan City and New Buffalo are affected by this phenomenon. I have seen water levels rise and fall nearly 3 feet in a couple of hours.
MM
We are 7" below the high in 1986. Our current dock was installed in 1986. We probably will not reach that level, but if we do, level will be at the bottom beam of our dock. We installed the electrical service with non conductive conduits and placed the junction boxes on the spring piles above the decking to avoid electrical hazards. I would be very concerned about potential electrical issues this year.Doesn't it seem unusual that fixed docks would be installed lower than X" ABOVE the historic high water level? I think I read someplace that we're still more than a foot away from all time highs on Lake Michigan. Much closer than that for an April record high but still...
This whole water level thing is pretty ironic to me. I can remember distinctly complaining backwards and forwards about how high the docks were 10-15 years ago when I owned a low-to-the-water 24' Baja. "Good lord, I need a ladder to get out of this thing, why are these docks SOOO high". ha.
No different than Lake Erie where the prevailing winds are westerly. I can recall a September 3 years ago where gale force westerlies over several days dropped the water level in our harbor by 4 feet. We had boats hanging by their dock lines. Off course all of that water was pushed towards Buffalo.The issue is the tides.
Wind tides we call them. Docks were dry Saturday. Lake Michigan is so narrow that a wind from the north blows millions of gallons of water down the lake into the harbors on the south end. Michigan City and New Buffalo are affected by this phenomenon. I have seen water levels rise and fall nearly 3 feet in a couple of hours.
MM
No different than Lake Erie where the prevailing winds are westerly. I can recall a September 3 years ago where gale force westerlies over several days dropped the water level in our harbor by 4 feet. We had boats hanging by their dock lines. Off course all of that water was pushed towards Buffalo.
This is, correction, was, my dock.
Sadly a group of very nice folks are being ripped apart by the water and damage that has been done. The exodus has begun. Many of these people have been spending summers together for 10-15 years. The power company turned off the power as the transformers are sinking and in water. Now the marina must be brought up to current code to have the power reconnected.
All that will just make the dock safe to have power even if the lake level is above the pier.
Had to get another slip. Sad to leave...
MM
So are you saying the new buffalo marina is basically toast ?
View attachment 69875 MM! Sorry to see the water damage to what looks like a very nice, modern facility. I'm not getting why such a nice facility would be under water. The all time record high Lake Michigan water level was in 1986. Not one of our local marinas is under water because they were built with high water levels in mind. In our area we add steps or ladders as levels change and some have raised decks. None have gone out of business over these normal fluctuations. Was this marina built by an inexperienced developer not familiar with marine contracting work?
By HOA do you mean these are condo slips sold to the public?You are not asking anything not being asked by a lot of people and likely the lawyers soon.
MM
This is, correction, was, my dock.
Sadly a group of very nice folks are being ripped apart by the water and damage that has been done. The exodus has begun. Many of these people have been spending summers together for 10-15 years. The power company turned off the power as the transformers are sinking and in water. Now the marina must be brought up to current code to have the power reconnected.
All that will just make the dock safe to have power even if the lake level is above the pier.
Had to get another slip. Sad to leave...
MM
View attachment 69881
By HOA do you mean these are condo slips sold to the public?