Water levels to surpass those of 2017
NOTL looking for temporary and long-term solutions
The Town of Niagara-on-theLake is putting precautions in place to address high water levels in Lake Ontario and the Niagara River.
When faced with a similar situation two years ago, staff thought at the time it was a ‘oneoff’ scenario. High water levels led to serious flooding along the dock area and shoreline erosion along the town’s entire shore — which stretches from its border with St. Catharines across the length of town, through to Queenston.
“We thought it was a fluke but here we are two years later and we’re facing the same thing,” said Brett Ruck, NOTL’s irrigation and draining superintendent manager of environmental services.
In 2017, the water level in Lake Ontario was at 75.86 metres in May, according to Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority — the highest level recorded since 1918. The price tag from floodingrelated costs in 2017 surpassed $537,000 by the end of August.
Speaking during a presentation at a special council meeting at town hall Saturday morning, Ruck said the town has been given predictions that water levels could surpass those of 2017 and are expected to be at their highest in mid- to late June.
“There may be homes that may be directly impacted,” he said, especially if water levels go the predicted 10 inches higher than 2017. “The projections we’re seeing shows that.”
He said recovery of ‘normal’ elevation wouldn’t be until November, noting in 2017 water levels returned to normal in September.
Operations director Sheldon Randall said flooding protection and erosion measures have been put into place along the town’s waterfront. Right now there are plans to offset/prepare for flooding.
Sandbags have been made available to residents throughout the dock area, and pumps have been installed. Ruck said the town went with larger pumps than those used in 2017 with the hope they will be more effective. Putting the pumps in place early, rather than waiting for the water to rise further, meant there were more options available.
Large rocks were moved to the shoreline to offset water levels and work is being done to address erosion. Stone levels have been increased along various parts of the water front and a water bladder has been installed.
Randall said a report to addresses a long-term solution will be forthcoming.
Staff has been working towards strengthening the shoreline, with a number of projects outlined. Some, including a culvert restoration funded through the town’s capital budget and a Canada 150 grant, are completed. Other phases of the plan include installation of base rubble for wave action protection, boulder splash pads, reinforcing armour stone walls and the creation of a rain garden.
Randall said the town will be looking to various granting programs through each level of government and other funding agencies to find funds to complete the projects. These projects, as well as other long-term solutions, will be outlined in the report to come before council.