As the weather cools, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is beginning to remove swim buoys and flags from Great Lakes beaches, closing designated swim areas for the season.

Once buoys are removed, an area is no longer designated as a swim area, DNR said in a release, and anyone entering the water should use caution.

"Due to high winds, waves and rapidly changing water temperatures during the offseason, buoys are typically installed before Memorial Day weekend and removed after Labor Day," said Pat Whalen, Plainwell District supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “The flag system is also removed until the buoyed swim areas are established the next season.”

While the swim season may be ending, Michigan's inland waters and Great Lakes remain warm.

Here are tempera

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