Low water levels cause waterfront homeowner a rising tide of concern

A Belle River resident is voicing concerns over low water levels on Lake St. Clair. CTV Windsor’s Stefanie Masotti has more.

A drop in water levels has sparked concern for one Belle River resident.

“It makes you wonder what’s going on with the ecosystem here, the Great Lakes,” said Kaz Abdul, a Belle River resident of 25 years, who moved onto Lake St. Clair 10 years ago.

“We’re talking about 100 feet from our break wall… It’s just strange to see it this low.”

Abdul recalled the historical high-water levels in 2019 and 2020.

“That was extreme,” he said.

“We had no beach. The water was splashing under our dock, on our dock.”

But according to the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), which monitors water levels in Windsor-Essex County, the highs and lows are nothing to be concerned about.

“It appears rather dramatic, but it’s not unusual,” said Tim Byrne, ERCA’s Chief Administrative Officer.

“The cyclical process varies from 11 to 15 years… and we are now in a recession period where the lake levels are lowering.”

The rate at which it lowers depends on storm systems and barometric pressure.

Bryne said water levels on Lake St. Clair have been monitored and tracked since 1918.

Abdul is hoping the water will rise this spring.

“To make sure we can put our toys in the water at the end of the dock would be convenient.”