![Great Lakes Water Safety: What Do Michigan’s Flag Colors Really Mean?](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/05/attachment-michigan-beach-flag.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Great Lakes Water Safety: What Do Michigan’s Flag Colors Really Mean?
Ensure you and your family stay safe this summer when visiting Michigan beaches.
As majestic as they are, the Great Lakes can be deadly for even the most experienced swimmers. The flags are there to help you! Make sure you do your part and learn their meanings:
![WKFR logo](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2021/03/512.jpg?w=100)
With the Memorial Day holiday behind us summer is "unofficially" here. In Michigan summer means backyard BBQs, outdoor festivals, and plenty of time spent on the water, of course.
I mean, Michigan is home to the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, after all! They don't call us a "Winter-Water Wonderland" for nothing.
While I certainly hope that no one fears the Great Lakes, I implore you to always remain cautious and observant when enjoying any body of water. Above all else it is imperative to know weather conditions before you get into the water.
Text-A-Buoy
Many popular, public beaches in Michigan have offshore buoys that monitor conditions like water temperature, wave height, and windspeed and you can easily access that information online.
Take for example, The City of South Haven's "text-a-buoy" program which will send current weather conditions and alerts to you phone! The information is there; I suggest you use it.
Michigan's Great Lakes Flag Warning System
Gallery Credit: Lauren Gordon
Street Art of Downtown South Haven
Gallery Credit: Lauren Gordon
Michigan's Best Beaches 2024
Gallery Credit: Janna
More From WKFR
![Detroit’s Chic Urban Beach Returns For More Summer Fun](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-detroit-campus-maritius.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How To Spot Michigan’s Glowing Yooperlites](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-yooperlites.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Three Michigan Gems You’ve Likely Never Been To Before](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-hidden-gems-michigan.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Could This Be The Best Swimming Hole In All Of Ohio?](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-ohio-swimming-hole-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Run Down Sleeping Bear Dunes](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-06-18T073308.989.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wait, Can You Actually Encounter Quicksand in Michigan?](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-quicksand-michigan-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Pool Club And Glamping Resort Pop-Ups in West Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-daydreamer-domes-south-haven.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is Saugatuck, Michigan the Best Lake Town in the United States?](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-06-13T060323.781.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Is Quite Possibly The Most Scenic Route In All Of Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2024/06/attachment-beautiful-road-michigan.jpg?w=980&q=75)