The beautiful water shows produced by waves hitting Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline is a combination of the grandeur of nature and the mundane practice of structural engineering. There are terraced concrete revetments built at intervals along the lakefront to prevent erosion. These revetments are supported by steel beams driven into the lake bed at equal intervals. There are times, during severe weather, when the waves are giant and raging and intimidating. But when a moderate east wind pushes waves into the revetments, the water sluices between the beams and shoots straight up, creating beautiful displays of what I call "natural fountains." And it is truly special when this phenomenon occurs with the background of a clear blue sky day. Enjoy the show!
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Even the geese were mesmerized by this breaker near Chicago's Belmont Harbor. (11)
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