TRAVERSE CITY - Grand Traverse Bay officially froze over today for the first time since 2019. The Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay announced the rare milestone, which environmental experts attribute to recent periods of extreme cold.
The freeze comes as ice cover across the Great Lakes reaches approximately 50%, which is significantly higher than the typical 30% coverage for this time of year. While the frozen bay provides a winter landscape, experts said the ice plays a functional role in protecting the local environment and shoreline.
Ice coverage on the bay has changed significantly over the last several decades. Before 1980, the West Grand Traverse Bay froze during about 80% of winters. Since 1980, that frequency has decreased to about 40% of years. Experts said the reduced ice cover can have lasting ecological impacts on the region.
Heather Smith serves as the Grand Traverse Bay water keeper. She noted that early ice cover provides a physical barrier that helps maintain the local shoreline by preventing turbulence from winter weather.
“So when we have ice cover, we’re not getting really big winter storms pounding into our shorelines,” Smith said. “So we’re not getting that kind of turbulence at the land water interface, which helps with shoreline control and shoreline erosion.”
The freeze also benefits the Great Lakes by slowing the rate of water evaporation. Significant evaporation typically occurs when cold air moves across relatively warm water during the winter months. Smith explained that a layer of ice acts as a seal to prevent this water loss.
“And so when we have ice cover that prevents water, a lot of the evaporation from happening,” Smith said. She added that the ice can also benefit various ecosystems living beneath the water’s surface.
Despite the frozen appearance of the West Arm, environmental experts warned that ice conditions remain unpredictable. Smith urged the public to remain cautious because ice thickness and strength can vary greatly from one location to another.
“It’s variable out there. So, there could be areas that are much thicker or much weaker,” Smith said. “So, we really are encouraging people to exercise, extreme caution. There is no really safe ice.”