Local water levels Among highest since 1997

Waves crashing over breakwalls, properties flooding, shoreline erosion and boat docks being beaten to a pulp are becoming the new norm this spring as lake levels surrounding Essex County have reached their highest since 1997. The binational group that tracks levels for the Great Lakes, the International Lake Superior Board of Control, reported Lake MichiganHuron rose 11 cm last month. The region includes area waterways of Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and Lake Erie.

Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 44 cm above its long-term average (dating back to 1918) and 10 cm above last year’s beginningof-June level, the agency said. The numbers are the highest since 1997.

Tim Byrne, director of watershed management services for the Essex Region Conservation Authority, said current levels are definitely the worst he has seen since the late 1990s and potential for damage is “significant.”

“We are at a point where there is no safe harbour in our region,” he said on Monday. “On any given day we are surpassing 1997-98 (lake) levels. Depending on climate, storm events, wind speed and direction we are gravely concerned.” Not only are current water levels equivalent or surpassing what occurred two decades ago, but back then there was only a solitary storm event or two to worry about, Byrne said.

Given how there has been a drastic increase in major storm events across the region, the potential for damage is “significant” anywhere along Essex County waterways in the weeks ahead.

There has already been heavy property and road damage this spring in shoreline areas of Pelee Island, Leamington and stretching to Wheatley, he said. “That’s our most concerning area right now,” Byrne said. “After that, it’s Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Windsor — all of the north shore.” ERCA has been reviewing municipal emergency plans to make sure they are up to date, plus checking if there would be significant sand bags should major weather events occur. “Storm duration and how long strong winds stay in an area are what we are concerned about,” Byrne said.

The Great Lakes control board reported the seasonal water level increase is expected to continue throughout June before dropping in the summer months of July and August.

“The above-average levels coupled with strong winds and waves continue to result in shoreline erosion and coastal damages across the upper Great Lakes system,” said the control board in its monthly report released on the weekend.

Given the lake levels around Essex County have reached their highest in over 20 years, it’s no longer if shoreline damage will occur, but how much it will be in the weeks ahead, said Jacob Bruxer, senior water resources engineer for Environment Canada. “You’ve had a few drier weeks, but it’s been really wet for a couple years now,” he said. “With the inland rivers and springs and with the rains we have had this spring, (the lakes) are still rising. “It’s hard to predict weather — it’s only reliable when you look out the window. Trying to figure out what will happen in a month or two is less reliable. But if you have any wind events or major storms you are going to see damages and flooding (in Essex County) with levels as high as they are at this time.” One local business that specializes in refurbishing existing dock systems and boat lifts — Customs Metal Fabricating — has been kept busy with residential and commercial repair jobs stretching from Windsor to Chatham, said co-owner Vinnie Ciotoli. “The water is so high its knocking pre-treated lumber right off the frame,” she said. Heightened water levels have also created a lot of rotting wood and deck boards, so the company has been recommending and replacing wood posts and decking with metals such as aluminum or installing removable pieces to minimize damage, Ciotoli said. “You want safe access to your dock,” she said. “So we have been encouraging people to take a good look at the condition of their docks so you don’t have people falling through the wood or injured.” The high lake levels are also causing havoc for the company’s workers themselves who have had to keep a close eye on tides and flow when attempting to do their dock and post repair jobs, Ciotoli said. “There have been real challenges for us working on the lake,” she said. “Certain times of the day we are more limited and have to be very careful. We’ve never seen the water this high.”