$200K grant will allow Lake Michigan swimmers to receive real-time current information

MILWAUKEE -- Lake Michigan swimmers will be much safer from the risk of rip currents and other dangerous waves thanks to a new real-time effort that will match the academic know-how of a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher with the outreach capability of Wisconsin Sea Grant, expertise on coastal issues by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and resources of the Milwaukee County Parks Department.Chin Wu, UW-Madison professor of civil and environmental engineering, and those organizations have teamed up to plan on installing a camera at Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach and an underwater wave sensor off of the harbor breakwall.“In 2012 and 2013, dangerous Great Lakes currents and waves caused 88 drowning deaths and rescue incidents.

Racine County Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol called out to Lake Michigan for vessel taking on water

RACINE COUNTY -- The Racine County Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol was called out to Lake Michigan Saturday, September 5th for a 41-foot vessel that was taking on water.It happened around 6:00 p.m.Racine County Sheriff's officials say the Water Patrol received a distress call over the marine band radio for a 41-foot vessel on Lake Michigan that was taking on water.The caller stated he was north of the Wind Point Lighthouse, approximately four miles off shore, and taking on water from an unknown location faster than it could be pumped out.The operator advised he was headed to shore to beach the boat.The Sheriff's Office's Water Patrol responded to the scene and found the vessel beached.

DNR: Lake Michigan withdrawal shouldn't affect levels

MADISON -- The Department of Natural Resources says Waukesha's plan to pull water from Lake Michigan shouldn't affect lake levels, plants and sediment.The city wants permission to pull up to 16.7 million gallons a day and return treated wastewater to the lake.

Coast Guard rescues three after boat capsized off South Shore Marina

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Coast Guard rescued three mariners after their boat capsized off the South Shore Marina near Milwaukee, Wednesday.Search and rescue coordinators at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received a call at 8:25 a.m. about three men who were in the water after their 14-foot boat capsized close to Texas Rock.Sector personnel instructed crews from Coast Guard Station Milwaukee to launch, aboard a 45-foot response boat.

Snowfall helps Lake Michigan's water level rebound from historic low in January 2013

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Lake Michigan's water level has officially rebounded from its historic low in January 2013.According to the National Weather Service, the average water level reached just over 579 feet in March.That's the highest the lake has been since 1998.Higher lake levels could cause more beach erosion, but lower water levels tend to be of more concern in terms of economic impact."The predictions are that the lake levels in general should be lower, maybe two to three feet lower on average.

Record rainfall leads MMSD to dump wastewater, stormwater into Lake Michigan, Milwaukee River

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The FOX6 Weather Experts say we saw a month's worth of rain in a 24-hour period last Wednesday, April 8th into Thursday, April 9th and that led the Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD) to dump wastewater and stormwater into Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River.Mitchell International Airport measured record rainfall on April 9th with 3.18 inches.

South Milwaukee Fire officials use inflatable boat to tow disabled boat to safety

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Oak Creek and South Milwaukee Fire officials on Sunday evening, March 15th assisted a boater stranded on Lake Michigan near Bender Park.The call came in shortly before 6:30 p.m.South Milwaukee Fire officials responded to a request from the Oak Creek Fire Department to assist a stranded boater on Lake Michigan approximately one mile off of Bender Park.Apparently, the U.S. Coast Guard originally received the call reporting the disabled boat and notified the Oak Creek Fire Department.South Milwaukee Fire officials responded with a Zodiac inflatable boat to Bender Park to launch.