Cityscape

Gallery: The Belle Isle Chevrolet Grand Prix Will Have a Soggy, Sloppy Backdrop

May 20, 2019, 2:02 PM by  Michael Lucido
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Photos and Text by Michael Lucido

With the Detroit Grand Prix less than two weeks away -- it runs May 31 to June 2 -- parts of Belle Isle look rather soggy. In fact, some parts are downright flooded. 

Rising water levels in Lake Saint Clair and the Detroit River are having a profound impact at Belle Isle and beyond at waterfront properties in Metro Detroit.

Belle Isle Unit Supervisor Jacob Brown of the state Department of Natural Resources says the flooding is a recurring problem this time of year and there's no reason to worry about its impact on the race or other events because they're above river level.

During our conversation, I mentioned the flooding and work on a bridge at the Blue Heron Lagoon area of Belle Isle and Lake Okonoka, and asked when the area would reopen to visitors.

Brown said thanks to a recent $5-million grant from MDOT to a group called Friends of the Detroit River, the flooding will be adressed and the area should reopen around October.

We surveyed the island the other day and took these photos. 

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Area overhwlmed by the rising river level.
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Rising water creates a temporary river on the island.
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Breakwall is submerged under water.
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Water creeping onto the island.
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Blue Heron Lagoon shoreline is completely submerged.
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The extent of the flooding near the shoreline of Blue Heron Lagoon.
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Wooded area flooding out behind the Blue Heron Lagoon area.
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Bridge and waterway construction area flooded out on Lakeside Drive.
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The extent of Lake Okonoka overflowing onto Woodside Drive.

Bleachers being installed for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.

 



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