The water runs low at Lake Harbor park in Norton Shores, Mich.
Lake Michigan's water levels set record lows in January. /
Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press NEW BUFFALO, Mich. -
This town has 1,884 residents and almost 1,000 boat slips filled
by summer visitors, so low water levels in Lake Michigan
threaten its economic stability and its identity as "the heart
of harbor country." No wonder Jim Oselka, who runs Oselka
Marina, a family business founded here in 1957,says, "Every time
I see it raining, I'm like 'Yes!' " The water lapping against
the marina's 150 boat slips is 15 inches lower than it was a
year ago, forcing Oselka to consider dredging for the first time
since the 1960s. He has to have enough clearance to accommodate
sailboats with 5-foot keels. "I'm anticipating a good season.
And I'm hoping and praying that water levels have hit their low,
and they're going to go back the other way," Oselka says. That
wish is shared by communities and businesses all along the
coasts of Lake Michigan and Lak