THUNDER BAY — After four consecutive months of record-high water levels on Lake Superior, the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for shoreline property-owners.
The LRCA says it's because of the likelihood the lake will remain high for a prolonged period.
May, June and July all saw new records established, and the LRCA says August began with the lake two centimetres higher than the previous mark for the beginning of the month.
Lake Superior is now 35 centimetres higher than the average level over the last 100 years, and 22 centimetres higher than this time last year.
According to the LRCA, shoreline property-owners should anticipate further increases into the fall, increasing the risk of erosion and flooding including beaches and wetlands.
Authority CAO Tammy Cook said Wednesday that, under Ontario law, residents planning work to remediate shoreline erosion on their properties must apply to the LRCA for a permit.
In most cases, a permit will cost $150 to $300 depending on the nature of the erosion mitigation project.
Cook said this is the first time the authority has ever issued a flood watch for the Lake Superior shoreline.
