GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — Water temperatures are lower in Grand Haven State Park than they are in Muskegon and Holland, starting Friday morning at 47 degrees.
The readings below 50 degrees continue a week-long trend that has complicated plans for those camping in the park.
“We’ve been here about a week and a half,” Kurt Prather told News 8. “We’ve just stuck our feet in. Just enough to say ‘oops, too cold’ and get out.”
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The cold summer water temperatures pose a specific safety hazard. Cold shock when drowning in cold water is especially prevalent on warmer days. Symptoms include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and mental fog. They increase the risk of drowning, especially for weak swimmers or those with heart and lung conditions.
In addition, prolonged exposure to cold water can cause hypothermia. The National Weather Service and local departments of natural resources warn that both cold shock and hypothermia are possible in warmer temperatures than many swimmers realize.
“Anytime you’re in water that’s in the 40s, 50s, 60s, even 70s, it can drop your body temperature faster than people plan on,” Andrew LundBorg, park ranger at Grand Haven State Park, told News 8.
Water temperatures increased on Friday, and favorable wind conditions will continue to bring them up through the weekend.
“Winds like we’re getting today from the south and southwest, which will usually bring temperatures back up pretty quickly,” LundBorg added.
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