• Home
  • About Us
    • Column 1
      • About the LTVCA
      • Budget and Financial Statements
      • Vision / Mission Statement
      • Board Packages and Minutes
      • Employment
      • Events
    • Column 2
      • FAQ’s
      • Volunteers
      • Fees & Publications
      • What’s New?
      • Public Social Media Policy
  • Programs
    • Planning and Regs
      • Plan Input and Review
      • Regulations
    • Water Management
      • Flood Forecasting and Warning
      • LTVCA’s Flood Control Program
      • Water Control Structures
      • The History of Flooding
      • Flood Notices
      • Flood Notice Types
      • Water Levels
    • Education & Outreach
      • Education Programs and Field Trips
      • Inclass and Virtual Programs
      • Professional Development
      • Ska-Nah-Doht Village & Museum
      • Habitat Fact Resources
    • Conservation Areas
      • Camping
      • Parking Passes
      • All Conservation Areas
    • Conservation Services
      • Tree Planting
      • Imagine McGregor
      • Grants for Landowners
      • Feature Partnership & Restoration Projects
      • Livestock Health
      • Lower Thames Soil Health Program 2022
      • Pollinator Habitats
      • Species at Risk
      • Invasive Species
      • McGregor and Jeannettes Creek Phosphorus Reduction Program
  • Foundation
    • Column 1
      • About the LTVC Foundation
      • Carey Carolinian Arboretum and Trail
      • Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation Bursary
      • Save the Cabins
    • Column 2
      • Memorial Forest Program
      • Fund-Raiser
      • Donate to Conservation
      • Volunteer Directors and Members
    • Column 3
      • Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant for Wheelchair Accessible Boardwalk Replacement at Longwoods Road CA
      • Trillium ‘Seed’ Grant – Londwoods Feasibility Study 2018-2019
      • Conservation Foundation Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Offices And Staff Have Returned to Regular Operations

Call us 519-354-7310

[email protected]
Lower Thames Valley Conservation AuthorityLower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Column 1
      • About the LTVCA
      • Budget and Financial Statements
      • Vision / Mission Statement
      • Board Packages and Minutes
      • Employment
      • Events
    • Column 2
      • FAQ’s
      • Volunteers
      • Fees & Publications
      • What’s New?
      • Public Social Media Policy
  • Programs
    • Planning and Regs
      • Plan Input and Review
      • Regulations
    • Water Management
      • Flood Forecasting and Warning
      • LTVCA’s Flood Control Program
      • Water Control Structures
      • The History of Flooding
      • Flood Notices
      • Flood Notice Types
      • Water Levels
    • Education & Outreach
      • Education Programs and Field Trips
      • Inclass and Virtual Programs
      • Professional Development
      • Ska-Nah-Doht Village & Museum
      • Habitat Fact Resources
    • Conservation Areas
      • Camping
      • Parking Passes
      • All Conservation Areas
    • Conservation Services
      • Tree Planting
      • Imagine McGregor
      • Grants for Landowners
      • Feature Partnership & Restoration Projects
      • Livestock Health
      • Lower Thames Soil Health Program 2022
      • Pollinator Habitats
      • Species at Risk
      • Invasive Species
      • McGregor and Jeannettes Creek Phosphorus Reduction Program
  • Foundation
    • Column 1
      • About the LTVC Foundation
      • Carey Carolinian Arboretum and Trail
      • Lower Thames Valley Conservation Foundation Bursary
      • Save the Cabins
    • Column 2
      • Memorial Forest Program
      • Fund-Raiser
      • Donate to Conservation
      • Volunteer Directors and Members
    • Column 3
      • Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant for Wheelchair Accessible Boardwalk Replacement at Longwoods Road CA
      • Trillium ‘Seed’ Grant – Londwoods Feasibility Study 2018-2019
      • Conservation Foundation Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Offices And Staff Have Returned to Regular Operations

Flood Outlook – Standing message for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines – October 8, 2019

Home Flood NoticesFlood Outlook – Standing message for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines – October 8, 2019

Flood Outlook – Standing message for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines – October 8, 2019

October 27, 2019

Highlights:

• Water levels on both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair have finally fallen below the previous 1986 records
• However, water levels are still well above where they were this time last year
• Still a risk of shoreline flooding on both lakes
• Still a risk of erosion and damage to shoreline protection works on both lakes
• Strong sustained winds and/or heavy rains could cause flooding, erosion and shoreline damage

Message:

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 37 cm. This September’s average monthly water level still broke the previous September 1986 record of 174.83 m by 4 cm. However, current water levels are now around 12 cm below the October 1986 monthly water level record. Water level forecasts for Lake Erie suggest that by the end of October water levels are most likely to fall by another 12 cm.

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 22 cm. This September’s average monthly water levels still broke the previous September 1986 record of 175.84 m by 2 cm. However, current water levels are now around 10 cm below the October 1986 monthly water level record. Water level forecasts for Lake St. Clair suggest that by the end of October water levels are most likely to fall by another 12 cm.

Despite the recent drop in water levels, both Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are still very high and well above where they were this time last year. With such high water levels, shoreline areas are still highly vulnerable to shoreline damage, flooding and erosion.

Several roads in the region have been closed due to flooding and/or erosion. The most significant of these closures include Talbot Trail (between Coatsworth Road and Stevenson Road in Chatham-Kent) and Rose Beach Line (east of Antrim Road in Chatham-Kent). Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent is still currently closed as well but may be reopened in the future.

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. Onshore winds forecasted above 30 km/hr could start causing problems and by 35 km/hr flooding can be expected in some low lying areas. 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 all along 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. Along the bluffs, the erosion can cause land several metres inshore to fall into the lake all at one time.

Heavy rains 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 significant flooding and/or erosion events occur, or should events occur that may impact roadways and other public infrastructure. If there is an imminent risk to personal safety, call 911.

Most 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 October. 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])

Share
Find out more information about the LTVCA and COVID-19 COVID-19 Update

Facebook

What’s New?

  • LTVCA Administration Office Closed Afternoon of Friday July 15, 2022
  • Happy Canada Day!
  • Field Trips Running Full Steam Ahead! Outdoor Education Programming Bustling Once Again at Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Longwoods Road Conservation Area!
  • Spring has Sprung! Big “O” Birding Event Held in Comber
  • Partners Celebrate Earth Day with LTVCA at Newly Restored Property in South Kent!

Partner Links

  • Conservation Ontario
  • Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection Area
  • Thames River Clear Water Revival

Connect with us!

Search

© 2022 · Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority |[email protected] | Tel: 519-354-7310

  • Home
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us
Prev Next