Highlights:
• Record high water levels on both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair
• Risk of shoreline flooding on both lakes
• Risk of erosion and damage to shoreline protection works
• Strong sustained winds, as well as thunderstorm related winds and heavy rains, could cause flooding, erosion and shoreline damage
Message:
Water levels on both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair have broken records for the last several months. Daily average water levels on Lake Erie peaked on June 22nd at an elevation of 175.19 m (I.G.L.D.) and have since fallen by about 10 cm. The all-time monthly average record for Lake Erie set in June of 1986 of 175.04 m was broken in both May and in June, reaching an elevation of 175.14 m in June. Daily average water levels on Lake St. Clair peaked on July 7/8th at an elevation of 176.08 m (I.G.L.D.) and have since fallen by about 8 cm. The all-time monthly average record for Lake St. Clair set in October of 1986 of 175.96 m was broken in both June and July, reaching an elevation of 176.04 m in July. Water level forecasts suggest that by the end of August water levels on both lakes will have fallen, probably back down to somewhere around the record highs set in 1986.
With such high water levels, shoreline areas are highly vulnerable to shoreline damage, flooding and erosion. There are currently low lying shoreline areas in the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority jurisdiction that are constantly under water. There are also roadways in the region that have been closed due to flooding and/or erosion. People should try to avoid these areas if possible.
Sustained winds can lead to water level changes and waves that cause shoreline issues. Strong winds out of any direction will have an impact on some area along our local shorelines. Wind conditions over the lakes can change quickly and with little warning. This is especially true during the summer when thunderstorms are more frequent. Onshore winds forecasted above 25 km/hr are likely to start causing problems. The areas most frequently impacted include: Lighthouse Cove when winds are out of the north or west; Erie Shore Drive when winds are out of the south (WSW through ESE); the bay side of Erieau when winds are out of the east or north; Shrewsbury when winds are out of the east (NNE through ESE); and Rose Beach Line when winds are out of the east (NNE through S). Of course, other shoreline areas are also susceptible. The bluff areas on the Lake Erie Shoreline are also at a greater risk of erosion due to the high lake levels, especially when there are onshore winds and waves.
Summer thunderstorm activity has also proven to be an issue in these shoreline areas. Pop-up thundershowers are not always forecasted and the sudden strong winds associated with them can produce unpredicted waves and water level changes that impact shoreline communities. Heavy rains associated with thundershowers could also cause flooding in low lying shoreline areas. Due to the high lake levels, the groundwater table is high and storm water sewer systems and local watercourses are full with lake water. As a result, rainwater is not draining properly from these areas. Any water from upstream making its way downstream on these watercourses into these shoreline areas could cause additional flooding.
Shoreline residents need to pay attention as local conditions change and prepare accordingly.
Please contact your local municipality should flooding and/or erosion events occur that may impact roadways and other public infrastructure.
More importantly, people need to keep themselves safe. Should an event occur, people should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline and any waterways with elevated water levels. The waves on the lakes can be strong, and the shoreline and the banks of waterways can be slippery and unstable. There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water which could be thrown onto the shoreline. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.
This is a standing message issued for the month of August. Should weather forecasts suggest a sustained wind event likely to cause shoreline issues, this message will be upgraded.
Message Contact: Jason Wintermute (519-354-7310 x227, [email protected])