FLOOD MANAGEMENT

We recognize that protection of life and property from flooding and erosion hazards is dependent on natural system protection, restoration and remediation; and that development and redevelopment should contribute to the prevention, elimination, and reduction in risk from flooding, erosion, and slope instability.We follow the five pillars of flood management: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

2019 Achievements

• • ERCA hosted four High Water Information Workshops in Lakeshore, Windsor, Kingsville and LaSalle, to raise awareness of impacts of high water to 1,500 attendees
• • Monitored 30 Climate Stations, including 18 within the City of Windsor. ERCA staff initiated discussions with Lakeshore and Essex regarding siting and integrating 6 additional stations.
• • Met with Provincial Flood Advisor, and participated in SW Ontario Regional CAOs meetings regarding flood management, flood protection and emergency response. Flood Advisor's report includes recommendation that ERCA and Lower Thames Valley CA work with Windsor-Essex municipalities, Chatham-Kent, Province and Federal Government to develop a short- and long-term plan to address flooding and shoreline/infrastructure issues in Lake Erie/Lake St. Clair/Detroit River.

2020 Actions

• • Implement upgrades and expansions to the Essex Region Watershed Monitoring network including ERCA and municipal Climate Stations to assist in providing flood response, monitoring and reporting
• • Further refinement of the ERCA Flood Contingency Plan to include additional flood forecasting stations and additional weather and lake level sources.
• • Mentor junior staff on systems operations and train on advisory roles

2020 Pressures

• • All-time Record High Water Levels for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair (and Detroit River). As a result of high water levels, since the beginning of 2019, Essex Region was under Watershed Condition (48 days)/ Flood Watch (147 days) or Flood Warning (25 days) more than days with no warning in effect. Extreme weather events increases pressure on staff and resources. This is expected to continue in 2020.
• • Change in winter weather patterns means more rains/less snow, likely to continue with more early to mid-winter floods, loss of ice cover, and erosion.
• • Provincial funding for ERCA's Section 39 Eligible Natural Hazard Management Grant (flooding and erosion programs), which has been $202,000 since the mid 1990s, was reduced to $104,000 in 2019. Despite CA appeals to not reduce or eliminate any further transfer payments, continued funding is uncertain.