On Sunday, August 11, 2024, an odd occurrence on a large section of Ludington's premier beach affected those who chose to spend the day there.  Starting a few hundred feet north of the lighthouse breakwater at Stearns Beach and then extending several hundred feet thereafter, areas of murky water replete with a gross salad of dead fish, zebra mussels, dead plants, and seagull dung were draped at the edge of the very murky water, unfit for swimming.  

                                               Stearns Beach lakefront looking north from around the middle of the north beach

Near the lighthouse some hearty souls swam in what was a lot clearer water, perhaps not knowing that the unhealthy-looking spot with unhealthy looking water was less than a football field away and that they were in the prevailing current path.  Truly this was only noticeable once you traveled along the lakefront because it was not visible until you got close to it and noticed the filth and smell.

                                              Middle of Stearns Beach (north) lakefront looking south towards the breakwater

On Friday, large waves hit Stearns Beach and perhaps set the table for this situation to take place afterwards.  The Ludington Torch is unaware after research and consultation with a seasoned local expert about how this localized dead zone came to be, and whether it presents a health hazard for beach users during this time, but we do advise to be wary of this spot and careful when planning to swim at the city's beach, at least on the north side of the breakwater, until this situation disappears or can be properly assessed in terms of public health.