High lake levels have prompted a long-term flood watch for the shores of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.
Meanwhile, the Windsor Port Authority has issued a temporary 30-metre buffer zone along the Windsor shore of the Detroit River for motorized watercraft. It is in effect for the next 30 days.
Both the flood watch and the near-shoreline ban are reminiscent of similar measures taken last year because of high lake levels. The entire region was under a flood watch for six months in 2019.
"Unless superseded by a flood warning, this flood watch will remain in effect until further notice," said ERCA's water resource engineer, James Bryant. "Conditions will be continuously monitored and re-evaluated with weekly updates based on short and long-term weather forecasts."
The authority said this is the fifth year of rising and high lake levels in the Windsor-Essex region, and current information suggests Lake St. Clair is 21 centimetres above its respective average. Lake Erie is 29 centimetres above.
Higher water levels are also elevating water levels in tributaries.
At their heightened level, it does not take a strong wind to generate waves capable of overtopping structures along the shoreline.
"Water levels are not anticipated to peak until June-July," added Bryant. "Our office is advising residents to take proper caution, especially near shoreline areas where conditions can change rapidly.
"We would also like to remind people to refrain from driving over flooded roadways. Vehicles travelling over water-covered roads are exacerbating the problem for flooded landowners."
In some cases, vehicles have become stuck or stalled on flooded roads.