May 3, 2017 – Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for many communities in Southern Ontario with wet weather returning Thursday, May 4. Water levels in Lake Ontario having risen approximately 40 cm since the beginning of April. Above normal precipitation and the melting winter snow pack have resulted in higher lake levels in all the Great Lakes. Elevated lake levels are expected for several months before receding.
Higher water levels increase the potential for flooding and erosion. Storms and storm surges may compound the effects and lead to shoreline flooding. Elevated water levels combined with heavy wave action have led to some erosion of natural beaches, bluffs and structures along the shoreline.
Water levels in the Credit River and other Lake Ontario tributaries have increased due to backwater from Lake Ontario.
Residents are urged to exercise caution along the shoreline and lakefront areas. Elevated lake levels combined with wave activity can make these areas dangerous.
Credit Valley Conservation staff continue to monitor weather and lake conditions and will issue public warnings as conditions warrant.
Additional information regarding current and forecasted Great Lakes water levels can be found at the following websites:
- April 25, 2017 media release from the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board: http://ijc.org/en_/islrbc/news?news_id=597
- Great Lakes water levels and related data from Environment Canada: https://www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=En&n=F6F3D96B-1
For more information, please contact Credit Valley Conservation’s Jeff Wong at (905) 670-1615, ext. 269 or jwong@creditvalleyca.ca.