MEARS, Mich. — Lake Michigan's record water levels has already caused several homes to be demolished with others on the verge of falling in.
It's not only homes that have people worried, but lighthouses along the shore that have been there for more than a century.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse has had some buzz around it in recent months of the possibility that it is tilting and could eventually fall in to Lake Michigan thanks to the recent erosion.
The rumors have been proven to be false. Peter Manting, Executive Director of the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association, along with several other state park officials, traveled to the almost 150-year-old Little Sable Lighthouse to show that the concerns are unnecessary.
"We found that the lighthouse was in good condition." says Manting. "The shoreline was about 12 feet from the lighthouse. There is still adequate beach in front of it."
Manting told FOX17 that the Little Sable Lighthouse has adequate support underneath, highlighted by feet of concrete under the sand and 90 support beams under that.
Even if the water were to surround the lighthouse, the way it was built almost 150 years ago, which had modern engineers impressed, would not succumb to the high water and waves.
Back in 1986, the water was as high if not higher, sometimes coming right up to the base of the lighthouse. The structure after that year made it out unscathed and the same result is expected after this year.
The Little Sable Lighthouse will still be open this summer for all beachgoers to climb up the 115 feet and check out the panoramic view. No matter what Lake Michigan throws at it, it is not expected to come down.
