Winsdor-Essex worries about water levels

There are grave concerns from Essex Region Conservation Authority officials regarding the high lake levels in Windsor-Essex throughout the winter months.

“Considering the typical rise in levels annually observed, it is highly likely that the record lake levels hit last year will be exceeded,” ERCA Director of Watershed Management Tim Byrne said.

Compared to last February, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair are 30.5 centimetres and 43.2 centimetres higher respectively.

Byrne said he thinks that the elevated lake levels are directly related to the lack of ice cover, increased nearshore water depths, wave action pummelling the shorelines, and a January storm event that measured more than 50mm of rainfall in 48 hours, which is equal to the amount of total precipitation in all of January last year.

All local municipal administration, first responders and other emergency response personnel have been advised by ERCA on the ongoing threat and have assisted in the emergency response plan preparation. ERCA is continuing to inspect flood and erosion control structures while advising their respective municipalities on the condition of these structures.

At the request of the Provincially appointed Flood Advisor Douglas McNeil and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, ERCA is working with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority to coordinate short- and long- term strategies addressing the current and future impacts to Chatam-Kent, Windsor-Essex and Pelee Island for water levels, flood and erosion hazards, and climate change.