There have been 27 drownings in Lake Michigan this year, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. There had been 15 drownings by this date in 2018.
In comparison to the other Great Lakes, there have been two drownings in Lake Superior, five in Lake Huron, six in Lake Ontario and 11 in Lake Erie.
The causes of drownings have varied from boating accidents, to currents and undertow, and attempted rescues of other distressed swimmers. Two SCUBA divers drowned off the shores of Milwaukee in late June.
2019 Lake Michigan water levels have tied record high levels, up nearly three feet from the average, according to Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Jesse Ritka.
