Rising lake levels and severe erosion have led to the closure of a popular suburban beach, the Wilmette Park District announced this week.
According to a press release, Langdon Beach’s swimming area has been closed after being a fixture along the shores of Lake Michigan since 2007.
Significant erosion over the last few years is being blamed for the diminished beach front, and even a 10-foot wide dune path that was installed last summer has been whittled down to three feet by rising Lake Michigan waters and constant sand erosion.
Because of that erosion and high water levels, the decision was reached by the park district to close down the beach, although Langdon Park and the ‘tot lot’ will both remain open, according to the district.
The park district hopes that it will one day be able to re-open the beach, and it is also evaluating potential alternative solutions. Nearby Gillson Beach remains operational despite higher water levels, officials say.
Earlier this month Lake Michigan hit the highest water levels ever recorded in the month of June due to heavier-than-normal rainfall and snow melt from the winter months. Other Great Lakes, including Lake Superior and Lake Erie, have also experienced record water levels as a result of the heavy precipitation.
