Information we collect

Lake Michigan Dashboard is primarily an informational website. Visitors are not required to create an account, submit a name, or provide an email address to use the dashboard.

Like most websites, the server may automatically receive limited technical information such as IP address, browser type, device type, referring page, requested pages, and date/time of access. This information may be used for security, troubleshooting, performance, and aggregate traffic measurement.

ZIP-code lookup

The nearest-station tool lets you enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby Lake Michigan reporting stations. The ZIP code is used only to determine an approximate location for that lookup. The site may use a third-party ZIP/geolocation service to process the ZIP code and return approximate coordinates. The tool does not ask for your name, street address, email address, or phone number.

Analytics and measurement

Lake Michigan Dashboard may use website analytics and measurement tools, including Google Analytics and Google Site Kit, to understand aggregate traffic, popular pages, device types, referrals, and similar usage information. These services may use cookies or similar technologies and may process information such as IP address, device/browser information, approximate location, and interactions with the site.

Analytics settings may change over time as the site is improved. Where required, consent controls or other privacy settings may be used for analytics and advertising technologies.

Cookies

WordPress and connected services may use cookies or similar browser storage for essential site functions, security, administrative login sessions, preferences, analytics, or embedded third-party content. Because public comments and visitor account registration are not enabled for normal site use, the site does not rely on comment-profile cookies for visitors.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how certain site features or embedded services work.

Embedded content and third-party services

The dashboard uses or links to services operated by other organizations. Examples include NOAA/NDBC and NOAA/GLERL data, National Weather Service resources, Windy forecast maps, webcam providers, YouTube, and state or local government resources.

Embedded services, such as an interactive weather map, may receive technical information about your browser or device and may use their own cookies or tracking technologies. When you follow a link to another website, that site’s privacy policy and terms apply.

External weather, buoy and webcam data

Weather, buoy, forecast, map, camera, and other external information displayed or linked from Lake Michigan Dashboard is supplied by third parties. Requests made by the site to retrieve public data may be logged by those providers according to their own policies. Lake Michigan Dashboard does not control how those external providers retain or process their server logs.

How information is used

Information available to the site may be used to operate and secure the website, diagnose technical problems, understand aggregate visitor traffic, improve content and features, prevent abuse, and maintain site reliability. Lake Michigan Dashboard does not sell visitors’ personal information.

Data sharing

Information may be processed by service providers that help operate the website, such as hosting, analytics, security, mapping, or embedded-content providers. Information may also be disclosed when reasonably necessary to comply with law, protect the site, investigate abuse, or enforce legal rights.

Data retention

Server logs, security records, analytics information, and administrative records may be retained for periods determined by the relevant hosting, analytics, security, or service provider. The site keeps only the information reasonably needed to operate, secure, measure, and improve the website.

Your privacy choices

You may limit cookies or tracking through your browser or device settings and through any consent controls displayed by the site. You can also use browser privacy features or extensions that restrict third-party tracking.

If you believe the site holds personal information about you and you want to ask about access, correction, or deletion, you may contact the site owner through any contact method published on LakeMichiganDashboard.com. Some information may need to be retained for legal, security, fraud-prevention, or administrative purposes.

Children’s privacy

Lake Michigan Dashboard is a general-audience informational website and is not designed to knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated as the website, analytics, advertising, or other services change. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when material changes are made.