Those who enjoy using motorized watercraft are being asked to mind the shorelines for a bit longer.
The city of Windsor and the Windsor Port Authority have extended their shoreline boating ban by 30 days after record high water levels continue to affect the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. Port Windsor confirmed the extension via tweet Tuesday morning. Boaters are still being urged not to use the motors on their vessels within 30 metres of shore due to concerns that the ensuing wake will cause damage to waterfront property.
Windsor police, Windsor Fire and Rescue and LaSalle police will continue to monitor the shoreline for such activity, though their focus will remain on education rather than an aggressive crackdown.
Port Windsor had instituted the ban on July 12 in cooperation with the city of Windsor and the town of LaSalle. It covers the entire Windsor-Essex shoreline from the Windsor-LaSalle line to the Windsor-Tecumseh line. At the time, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens warned that the situation would get worse before improving.
“What we do know is that we have not seen the height of the maximum height of these water levels,” said Dilkens. “Basically, we expect the situation to get worse before it gets better, and this could go into August, some are saying into September, before the water levels crest.”
The current ban will be reevaluated by early September.