There’s no doubt about it, Marquette’s beaches are a popular attraction during the summer months.

People from all around flock to the shores of Lake Superior to enjoy a wide array of activities, from the more intense things like beach volleyball and Frisbee to the leisurely ones like simply lounging under the sun.

After you work up a sweat from running up and down the beach, or you need something to wake you up from the nap you just took, taking a dip in the cool waters of Lake Superior is only a quick dash away.

Being on the water when boating, fishing, sailing or surfing is just as good.

And while the lake is a great way to cool off from the summer heat, we feel it is always important to remember the dangers associated with the world’s largest freshwater lake.

A seiche, pronounced SAYSH, involves sudden changes in water level, almost like a tidal wave.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says seiches are typically caused when strong winds and rapid changes in atmospheric pressure push water from one end of a body of water to the other and when the wind stops, the water rebounds to the other side of the enclosed area.

Though rare, Lake Superior is not immune to seiches.

Far more common in the Marquette area are rip currents, which can drag even the best swimmer out to deep water.

A few years back, the city placed a rip current meter at Picnic Rocks beach and established its beach flag advisory system to indicate swimming conditions at several beaches.

The meter reports real-time data on water temperature, wave height, current speed and atmospheric pressure.

Depending on weather conditions, the city posts lifeguards at its beaches during the swimming season from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Marquette Fire Department posts flags at South Beach, McCarty’s Cove, Middle Beach at Presque Isle Park and Picnic Rocks.

A green flag means the waves are calm to 2 feet, deemed a low hazard. A yellow flag means waves are 2 to 4 feet high and conditions are considered a medium hazard. Swimming is not recommended if a red flag is flown, meaning a high hazard with waves over 4 feet. An additional red flag with a no-swimming logo means no swimming is permitted and there are no lifeguards on duty.

Lake Superior is one of the reasons many people enjoy living in this area, and whether you’re lazily lying around or attempting to get your heart rate up at the beach, remember if you go in or on the water to be safe.