The South Haven buoy project started in 2013. It is supported by local government, businesses, organizations, and individual boaters. The buoy offers free access to wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and webcam images from April to October. In 2021, the buoy’s data was accessed over 510,000 times, making it one of the most popular in the Great Lakes.
Originally funded by a NOAA grant in 2014, the buoy now relies on local contributions to operate each year. LimnoTech, based in Ann Arbor, maintains the buoy and others across the Great Lakes, including in Cleveland and Toledo.
Donations go directly to the South Haven Steelheaders Sport Fishing Association (EIN 82-3922278), a 501(c)(3) organization. This group was key in bringing the buoy to South Haven and works to keep it operational. Funds cover sensor replacements, data plans, engineering support, and labor for seasonal deployment and retrieval.
Van Buren County has supported the buoy for several years. It is a vital tool for the National Weather Service, US Coast Guard, and local emergency services, especially during search and rescue operations and for predicting dangerous conditions on Lake Michigan.
Informational Webpages
- Great Lakes Buoys
- National Data Buoy Center – Station 45168
- National Data Buoy Center – Station SVNM4
