On April 1st and 2nd, there were high lake levels in the Leamington area with wind influenced wave action breaching break walls and causing localized flooding. There was also evidence that severe shoreline erosion was being combated by the shoreline reinforcement structures installed by residents.
From 2017-2020, extremely high water levels were observed on the shores of Lake Erie, resulting in flood watches and warnings for over 6 months each year (Figure 1). High water levels have damaged shoreline properties and businesses, closed parks and shut down marinas, resulting in millions in lost revenue and insurance claims (Government of Ontario, 2020). During this time frame, an increase in extreme weather events, agricultural land-use and an expansion in the greenhouse sector has also been observed.
Lake Erie supports valuable cultural, regulating and provisioning ecosystem services to both the United States and Canada. These services include drinking water, tourism and recreation, industrial operations, shipping and agriculture. The value of these services has lead to prosperous economies and growing communities on Lake Erie’s shores (Steinman et al., 2017). In the past decade, climate change has influenced weather patterns in southern Ontario; increasing the instances of extreme weather and rainfall by up to 50% (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, 2018). These weather patterns have lead to increased flooding and property damage throughout the Lake Erie basin (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, 2018).
A 2019 City of Windsor Climate Change Impact Assessment determined that the likelihood of extreme weather events that impact the health and safety of residents is “almost certain” (City of Windsor, 2019). Along with the extreme weather impacts of climate change, it is important to consider the impacts land-use change, coastal wetland destruction, deforestation and agriculture have had on high water levels and flooding in the Lake Erie basin (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, 2018).
In 2020, the impacts of increased precipitation, decreased winter ice cover and land-use change lead to water levels in Lake Erie which are 29 cm higher than 2019 levels and 7 cm high- er than previous 1986 record highs (ERCA Issues Flood Warning, 2020). In the past few years homeowners and local businesses have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars fortifying shorelines, sandbagging and installing pumps to combat frequent flooding (Mauro, 2019).
An innovative, holistic approach that incorporates weather warning systems, flood forecasting and cooperation between federal, provincial and municipal agencies is essential for the safety and health of community members and the success of local economies. Increasing forested areas, re-designating frequently flooded communities and limiting new builds will also be necessary to lessen the impact of high water levels and flooding and build resilience in the region (Government of Ontario, 2020).
Along with forecasting and mitigation systems, it is important to create systems that recognize the complexity of the Lake Erie ecosystem and incorporate flexibility in order to allow for rehabilitation (Walters & Hilborn, 1978). This may involve shoreline softening initiatives and the restoration of damaged coastal wetlands to reduce severe flooding and erosion impacts (Government of Ontario, 2020). Overall, a harmony between forecasting, monitoring and acclimating to new conditions will need to be established (Walters & Hilborn, 1978).
This observation has been shared with the Essex Region Conservation Authority and consultants at Zuzek Inc.
References
Charlton, L. (2019) ERCA Issues flood warning for areas of Leamington and Kingsville. Windsor Star. Retrieved from:https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/erca-issues-flood- warning-for-areas-of-leamington-kingsville/
City of Windsor. (2019). Climate Change Impacts in Windsor: A Technical Analysis. Retrieved from: https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/environment/Documents/Climate%20Change %20Impacts%20in%20Windsor.pdf
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. (2018). Climate Action in Ontario, Appendix D: Precipitation trends in Ontario. Retrieved from: https://docs.assets.eco.on.ca/reports/ climate-change/2018/Climate-Action-in-Ontario-Appendix-D.pdf
ERCA issues flood warning for a number of areas. (2020). Windsor Star. Retrieved from: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/erca-issues-flood-warning-for-a-number- of-areas/wcm/7196f8a5-fe41-4694-bdb5-51e58eabbd9d/
Government of Ontario. (2020). Ontario’s Flooding Strategy. Retrieved from: https:// www.ontario.ca/page/protecting-people-property-ontarios-flooding-strategy
Mauro, E. (2019). ’I’m watching it disappear’: Residents along Lake Erie reckoning with worsening shoreline erosion. CBC News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/ technology/shoreline-erosion-lake-erie-1.5384007
Steinman, A., Cardinal, B., Munns, W., Ogdahl, M., Allan, J. D., Angadi, T., Bartlett, S., Brauman, K., Byappanahalli, M., Doss, M., Dupont, D., Johns, A., Kashian, D., Lupi, F., McIntyre, P., Miller, T., Moore, M., Muenich, R., Poudel, R., Washburn, E. (2017). Ecosystem services in the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 43, 161-168. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication 314205968_Ecosystem_services_in_the_Great_Lakes
Walters, C. J. & Hilborn, R. (1978). Ecological optimization and adaptive management. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 9, 157-188. Retrived from:https:// www.researchgate.net/publication/234150376_Ecological_Optimization _and_Adaptive_Management
Observations From Members