HALDIMAND—For shoreline communities in Haldimand, the impacts of climate change are hard to deny. From changing shorelines to severe storms and the risk of flooding, Haldimand has seen its share of weather-related problems in recent years, with signs pointing towards increasing impacts in the years to come.
With such conditions impacting shoreline communities across the province, Conservation Ontario and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Mayor’s Commission on Coastal Resilience signed a Memorandum of Collaboration at the recent Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference to help communities prepare together for increasing risks from flooding, erosion, and severe storms.
The agreement paves the way for stakeholders like our local conservation authorities and Haldimand County to work together on co-ordinated local action aimed at long-term sustainability and a stronger coastline.
In 2020, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) on behalf of Haldimand County, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), and Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) completed a hazard map and risk assessment update for Haldimand County’s Lake Erie shorelines.
While the study showed that air temperature and rainfall increases may ultimately be “less than the natural variability of Lake Erie,” according to Leilani Lee-Yates, Director of Planning and Development and Interim Director of Watershed Strategies and Climate Change for NPCA, there are other concerning natural factors to consider.
“Heavy rainfalls are projected to become more frequent in the future, which are more of a concern for flood-prone and riverine areas,” she continued.
“Meanwhile, snowfall and ice cover are projected to decrease, potentially exposing shorelines to increased wave energy, which in turn could result in higher erosion rates. In addition, wind gusts are expected to increase slightly in the future, which may have an impact on storm surge and waves,” she explained.
Climate research and modelling work continues along the Great Lakes basin to better determine existing natural hazards and ultimately create more resilient shorelines.
“This partnership offers valuable opportunities for residents along the shorelines of Haldimand County to also participate in conservation efforts and for the municipality to have access to more resources and expertise that can contribute to the long-term health and resilience of their communities and natural environment,” said Lee-Yates.
She continued, “NPCA will build upon the work completed to date for Haldimand County when updating their Lake Erie shoreline hazard mapping and management plan.”
Some of the ways they plan to do so include:
- Incorporating climate change projections and data into the mapping process.
- Conducting comprehensive risk assessments and vulnerability mapping exercises to identify areas that are most susceptible to climate change-related hazards.
- Engaging with municipalities and their communities to gather input, share information and incorporate local knowledge into the mapping efforts.
- Incorporating Adaptive Management Practices to continuously update and refine hazard maps in response to changing environmental conditions and emerging threats.
“By updating its hazard mapping to incorporate climate change considerations, NPCA can better understand and assess the impacts of climate change on local coastal shorelines,” said Lee-Yates. “This improved understanding will also allow NPCA to develop targeted mitigation and adaptation strategies, allocate resources effectively, and support informed decision-making. Updated maps and data will also contribute to broader efforts and coastal management practices across the Niagara Peninsula watershed.”
According to Lee-Yates, noting that these elements can be added to conventional shoreline protection systems, they are working together for a greater wealth of protective elements.
“NPCA plays a critical role in assisting shoreline communities within its jurisdiction by providing leadership, expertise and support for the conservation, management and stewardship of coastal communities,” she noted, mentioning that in addition to shoreline protection, they are involved in multiple programs that help protect the lake and surrounding environment.
“Through its flood forecasting program, NPCA helps to protect people and property from hazards by monitoring stream flow, rainfall, and other meteorological information across the watershed. NPCA then notifies residents, municipalities, and other agencies of potential flooding events,” she added.
She said conservation authorities can also play an important role as development efforts continue to roll out across Haldimand and the country at large, highlighting natural hazards that could impact potential developments, and advising on how to avoid or mitigate such impacts and regulating development within and near shoreline hazards to protect public health and property from the impacts of natural hazards.
Because shoreline issues tend to transcend jurisdictional boundaries, it just makes sense to have open collaboration between all parties invested in finding solutions, with a bigger focus on an ‘ecosystem-based approach’ to the issues of the day.
Lee-Yates concluded, “Shoreline management is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration so that all stakeholders can allocate resources and leveraging their own capabilities to achieve common goals and objectives. By working together, all stakeholders can identify synergies and win-win solutions that maximize benefits.”
