HOUGHTON LAKE BOATERS ARE CAUTIONED TO BE AWARE OF NEW SANDBARS AND SHALLOWS
By
James Munger, Division Commander, USCG Roscommon Flotilla 091-26-03

While the water levels of Houghton Lake are rising to summer pool level, sandbars will remain, creating shallow areas which can create boating hazards and increase the chance of running aground. As we approach the boating season, everyone should be on the lookout for new sandbars and shallow areas where there none before.

Sandbars were created by waves breaking off a beach which excavates a tough in the lake bottom. Some of the sand is carried forward to the shore and the rest is deposited on the offshore flank of the trough. Sand suspended in the backwash adds to the bar as does some of the sand moving shoreward.

Last summer we experienced low water levels and a lot of wind result is that we now have a lot of new sandbars and sand deposits near the shorelines. In addition to the sandbars created by wave action, the low water levels during the past winter months also allowed considerable quantities of sand to be push up on the shore and seawalls by ice movement.

If your vessel is equipped with a depth finder, pay attention to the readings as the water depth can change very quickly. Whether or not your vessel is equipped with a depth finder, always keep a proper lookout. Shallow areas are also often visible due to changes in water-color.

What is Running Aground?
Running Aground occurs when there is no longer deep enough water to float a vessel. This will sometimes be done intentionally, for instance to perform maintenance or to land cargo, but more than likely it occurs due to misinformation about water depths, operator error, or a change in the bottom structure of a waterway.

What is the Best Way to Avoid Running Aground?
Unfortunately, running aground is a common occurrence for boaters. But it does not have to be. If you follow these three guidelines, you should steer clear of rocks, sandbars and other underwater hang-ups that will bring your happy day of boating to a grinding halt.

#1. If you are boating in unfamiliar waters, take some time before launch to consult a nautical chart of the area. You should also talk to local marinas and boaters to get the inside scoop on local underwater hazards. They know where to go and where not to.
A very nice map of the lake showing depths and other features is available from Lyman's Bait Shop and other local businesses. When using the map, it is important to remember that the depths are generally based on the "legal" summer pool level and the map will not show newly created sandbars and shallows.

#2. Always keep a proper lookout while boating. Not only should you be looking for buoys and markers that indicate shallow waters, but you also need to keep your eyes peeled for shoals and sandbars that can be hard to spot. You might be surprised to know that most accidents happen on calm, clear days with light winds. Often it is simply not keeping a lookout that gets boaters into trouble.

#3. Always maintain a safe speed. This will allow you to take necessary action if you do spot an underwater hazard that needs to be avoided.

A final tip is that if you have a depth finder, you can set a shallow alarm alert to give you the heads up if you are headed towards somewhere, you do not want to go. But remember that a depth finder does not replace the need to always keep a proper lookout. Never rely solely on a depth finder.
What to do if you run aground?

So, your day of boating has come to a sudden stop. What now? Like any accident, the first step is to stop and assess the situation. So, stop the engine and check if anyone is seriously hurt. If the answer is yes, contact the authorities on your VHF radio on Channel 16 and send out a distress signal right away to alert other boaters that you need help.

If no one is seriously injured and you are not in immediate danger, take a moment to check your boat’s hull. Has the boat sustained any serious structural damage? Do you see any cracks or leaks? If so, stay put. Do not venture into deeper water. It is time to get your boat to shore. Flag down another boater for a tow or radio for assistance.

If there is no structural damage, it is time to try getting your boat loose. Depending on what you are grounded on and how severely your boat is hung up, you may be able to get back on the open water using one of the following methods.

The first is reversing off. If your boat is not grounded too severely, you may simply be able to reverse off from where you are grounded. Put your engine into reverse, tilt the engine slightly upward (if it is an outboard or an inboard/outboard), and then shift some weight away from where the boat is grounded. Now try to reverse your boat into clear water.

Another method is pushing off. If reversing out does not work, turn your engine off. If you have an outboard engine, lift it out of the water. Now, shift some weight to the part of the boat that is not grounded. With the weight off of the grounded part of the boat, use your spare oar or paddles to push off of the bottom. If you ground your boat on a sandbar, there may be enough sand around your boat that you can stand on the sandbar and try to push your boat off. With your engine turned off, lift the bow or stern, and push your boat into deeper water.

Remember to always boat safely. All boaters should always wear a life jacket on any vessel underway (i.e., motorized, and non-motorized watercraft). It is encouraged to have life jackets on children under the age of 13 while swimming or during other activities on open water (i.e., water trampolines, water slides). Michigan State Law requires that all vessels must be equipped with a PFD for each person on board or being towed. Michigan law specifically requires all children under 6 years of age to wear a USCG–approved Type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any vessel while underway. Michigan law also requires that each person riding on a PWC or being towed behind a PWC or other vessel must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device.

Updated: April 11, 2024