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Water Level Bulletin

Flood Warning Update for Lake Ontario/Bay of Quinte - July 14, 2017

The Flood Warning issued May 8, 2017 for Lake Ontario and Bay of Quinte shoreline from Grafton to Quinte West remains in effect as water levels remain at record highs for this time of year.

Water levels on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte have been slowly dropping since water levels peaked at the end of May. However, above normal precipitation through May and June has resulted in a very slow decline. Shoreline flooding and erosion from high waves remain a concern particularly during storms and periods of strong winds. The public should anticipate unusually high lake levels to persist through the summer months.

The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board reports that the average daily water level for Lake Ontario was 75.72 masl (metres above sea level) as of yesterday, July 13, 2017. This is 16 centimetres lower than the peak level of 75.88 masl recorded on May 29, 2017. The daily water level measured yesterday at Cobourg was 75.67 masl which is 3 centimetres below the Lake Ontario 100-year flood elevation of 75.70 masl.

The Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board has been maintaining unprecedented outflow from Lake Ontario of 10,400 m3/s since June 14 in efforts to drop water levels. Further information on flow regulation out of Lake Ontario can be found at the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board Facebook Page and the International Joint Commission web site.

Shoreline residents are reminded that any restoration or repair work along the shoreline (e.g., placement of fill, armour stone, etc.) will require a permit from Lower Trent Conservation and should call the office at 613-394-4829 or visit the website (www.ltc.on.ca) for more information.

Lower Trent Conservation urges residents to take care along the shoreline and on the water as levels drop over the coming weeks. Unsafe/unstable banks may exist due to recent erosion and high water. Wave action has also deposited debris along shorelines and beaches. Floating debris could cause hazardous conditions for boaters.

This Flood Warning will remain in effect until (or updated before) Friday, August 25, 2017.