Sarnia council appears to share concerns expressed by group of 70 people that Cow Creek needs immediate dredging to address a dangerous situation.
Over the last couple of years, a sandbar has grown into a shoal, in the area just west of St. John in the Wilderness Church at Bright's Grove.
Councillors George Vandenberg, Bill Dennis and Margaret Bird visited the area together last week.
"This is a project that has to be undertaken immediately, it has to be dredged out, we estimated about 10,000 cubic meters of material would probably have to come out of there," said Vandenberg.
Councillor Bird called it an eye-opener and said it isn't just a Bright's Grove problem.
"I think that because this area is internationally mapped as a safe harbour, anybody coming in from other locations, out of country, out of province, if they have a dangerous situation, bad weather or storm, and they know that they can turn in there, and then they get caught in this huge sandbar, it should definitely be a tourism problem too," said Bird. "So, we have to make sure it is safe."
Bird questioned why the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority isn't involved.
"This area is really well known for the salmon fishing and salmon need to go upstream to spawn, they can't even get upstream at all," said Bird.
Councillor Terry Burrell suggested the city work with the conservation authority and contact the federal government.
He said a safe harbour is very much needed in the area, especially after the access point at Highland Glen was wiped out.
Sarnia council directed staff to complete an engineering report on Cow Creek and report back quickly.