Durham: The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (Cloca) advises that the previously issued Lake Ontario Shoreline Flood Watch Update 3 has been extended to reflect current conditions.
Lake Ontario has continued declining in recent days and is expected to continue declining this coming week as other than some occasional scattered showers, generally warm, drier conditions are forecast with record-high outflows being maintained.
As of the most recent briefing (August 19) from the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board (ILOSRB), Lake Ontario levels sit at 75.51m. Actual rates of decline largely depend on rainfall; however, with record inflows from Lake Erie expected to continue, water levels will remain near seasonal highs for at least the next several weeks.
More information on Lake Ontario water levels and regulation can be found on the ILOSRB website.
Cloca monitors water levels and weather forecasts and issues flood messages for our portion of the Lake Ontario shoreline when either of the following criteria are met:
- Static water level equal to or greater than 75.5 m
- Static water level equal to or greater than 75.1 m AND projected (offshore) wave heights of 2.0m or greater.
Water levels will continue to be above flood watch levels into the month of September. Due to continuing high lake levels and the potential for wind driven storm surge, this Flood Watch will be in effect through to Monday September 30, 2019.