The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has extended its Shoreline Conditions Statement for the Lake Ontario shoreline, warning that elevated water levels continue to pose a risk of shoreline flooding and erosion despite an overall low flood potential.
The advisory remains in effect until noon on Friday, July 31.
The authority says Lake Ontario’s water level has remained relatively stable over the past three weeks at approximately 75.41 metres above sea level, only slightly below this year’s peak of 75.43 metres recorded on May 27.
Although water levels are expected to begin their normal seasonal decline as evaporation and outflows increase, officials say that will depend on typical weather conditions. Forecasts calling for 10 to 20 millimetres of rain over the next 10 days, along with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms, could slow that decline.
Water levels rose sharply throughout the spring, increasing by 86 centimetres between the beginning of March and the end of May. Conservation officials note that while levels above 75.30 metres are significant, they are not unprecedented, occurring about once every three years based on historical records dating back to 1960.
The authority says the greatest concerns while water levels remain elevated include shoreline flooding, beach submersion and wave driven erosion, particularly during periods of strong winds.
The International Lake Ontario–St. Lawrence River Board continues to monitor conditions and adjust water outflows as needed, while Ganaraska Conservation says it will continue monitoring shoreline conditions and issue updates if necessary.
(Written by: Branden Rushton)
