Beach Hazards Statement issued August 1 at 7:09PM EDT until August 3 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Dangerous nearshore water (rip currents / structural currents) — the score takes a safety penalty. Keep swimmers out of the water near the piers.
Lake Macatawa conditions
Choppy on the lake — small boats will bounce; skip the paddleboard today.
The protected inland lake behind the Holland channel — calmer water for smaller boats, paddling, and an evening cruise when the big lake is blown out.
Lake Macatawa — Kollen Park
Lake Macatawa — Kollen Park · Live via City of Holland · dark at night
The Holland channel is narrow and busy on summer weekends — expect boat wakes, traffic, and a modest current where Lake Macatawa exchanges with Lake Michigan. An onshore west wind stacks chop at the channel mouth by Big Red even when the inland lake is calm.
Live outflow: 5 cfs (Macatawa River) — higher outflow means a stronger seaward current in the channel, roughest against an onshore wind.
A nearshore swim advisory is active — check local guidance before getting in. No active bloom or swim advisory reported for the lake right now.
From NWS beach-hazards / swim-risk statements for this shoreline.