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Great Facts About the Great Lakes

Distribution of Registered Boaters in the U.S. in 1998 Five out of the Top Ten rankings of registered boaters in the U.S. are States from the Great Lakes region Source: National Marine Manufacturers Assoc. Presented by: Michigan Boating Industries Assoc. % Registered Boaters in 1998

Billions $$ Estimated Retail Expenditures on Boating in Michigan Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association Presented by: Michigan Boating Industries Association

Wet slips or wells, used for docking boats become unusable due to shallow water or need to be used for a smaller boat than what it was designed for Out of the estimated 425 public & commercial Great Lakes marinas: Unusable slips lost an average of $12,606 per marina Wet slips that could not handle the size boats they were designed to accommodate lost and average of $11,874 per marina Impacts of Low Lake Levels on Wet Slips Source: National Marine Manufacturers Assoc. Presented by: Michigan Boating Industries Assoc.

adverse pressure caused by less volume of water cause sea walls to buckle Impacts of Low Lake Levels on Seawall Damage

Impacts of Low Lake Levels and Dredging

Boat Damage Last year many boaters with hoists, were unable to lower their boats into the water Congestion is increasing in the center of the lake because the smaller bays are too shallow for use Millions of dollars, thousands of jobs, and a long-accepted way of life is at stake: Impacts of Low Lake Levels on the Power Boaters

Impacts of Low Lake Levels on the Sailboats Many boat owners are leaving home ports to move to deeper waters Adverse effect on Tourism - For example, Detroit area/Lake Erie boats coming down Lake Huron after the Mackinaw races cannot stop for fuel, because the ports are too shallow Local sailboat races Persistent wind

Economic Impacts of Low Water on Michigan Great Lakes Marinas in 1999 Impacts of Low Water on Michigan Great Lakes Marinas A report for Michigan Boating Industries Association

Need to make boaters aware of the current low water situation without discouraging them from boating. Strategies might include: Media should educate, not sensationalize low water levels, e.g., 2001 Detroit Boat show was down 7.8% Possible tax credits for marinas, as is given to farmers in crop damage years More education classes offered in navigation – some of which should be at the point of sale Easing and streamlining dredging permit process It is crucial to maintain sufficient water depth in state-run harbors and waterways, to allow access to commercial and public marinas “Wish List” for Great Lakes Marinas