1. Tell us what you think for a chance to win!
Maitland Conservation wants to hear from lakefront property owners in the Town of Goderich, Municipality of Central Huron and the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. We’ve developed a short survey to help us understand your erosion and flooding concerns. If you complete the survey you’re eligible to enter a draw for two C.R. Plastic Classic Adirondack Chairs from Watson’s Home Hardware.
The survey takes approximately six minutes to complete.
General results from the survey will be posted on this website. Individual survey responses will remain confidential.
The survey is posted here:
Maitland Conservation Shoreline Survey
Would you prefer to fill out a paper copy? We’re happy to mail a survey to you along with a return envelope. For a paper copy contact:
Shannon Millar, Shoreline Technician
519-335-3557 ext. 240
coastal@mvca.on.ca
The fine print…
- The deadline to enter the draw is August 9, 2021.
- We’ll deliver the chairs to the winner along the Lake Huron shoreline in the Town of Goderich, Municipality of Central Huron or the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. The winner is also welcome to pick up the chairs from our office in Wroxeter.
- The chairs may not be exchanged for alternate colours, product or cash.
Chairs – survey draw prizes
2. Shoreline Hazard Mapping Update
High water levels over the past several years have caused extensive erosion and inland flooding along Lake Huron. To reflect these changes to the shoreline, Maitland Conservation is undertaking a mapping project to update the existing shoreline hazard mapping within our jurisdiction.
Updating the mapping will give us an improved tool to help reduce the risk of loss of life and property damage due to flooding and erosion. Shoreline hazard mapping is used to:
- plan safe development outside the hazard
- regulate safe development within the hazard
- educate emergency responders for flooding and bluff erosion events
Note: this mapping project does not include changes to Maitland Conservation’s shoreline policies.
The hazard mapping project will get underway this year and is expected to be completed in 2023.
3. We’re Looking for Volunteers
We’re looking for people to join the Community Liaison Group (CLG) for the Shoreline Hazard Mapping Project.
The CLG will provide a forum for community members to be informed about the project, and then convey that information back to local groups. The CLG will:
- participate in several Project Team meetings
- receive project updates
- provide input on local conditions
- advise on the preparation and implementation of Public Education Centres
- act in an advisory capacity to the Project Team but will not be responsible for making decision regarding the project.
The CLG is expected to meet up to four times from late 2021 to early 2023.
For more information check out the CLG Terms of Reference:
Community Liaison Group – terms of reference
or contact:
Shannon Millar, Shoreline Technician
519-335-3557 ext. 240
coastal@mvca.on.ca
4. Shoreline Policies Update
Shoreline policies regulate development within the various natural hazards of the Lake Huron Shoreline. An amendment to these policies was approved at the June 17, 2020 membership meeting.
This update allows shoreline landowners with primary structures at the bottom (toe) of the bluff to apply for retaining walls higher than 1 metre. This work still requires an assessment from a coastal specialist or engineer but reduces the need for a full coastal study. Retaining walls higher than 1 metre may only be proposed to protect an existing primary structure (cottage or house) and/or existing septic system. Please note that this applies for structures at or below the toe (bottom) of the bluff NOT on the bluff.
It is important to note that retaining walls are only a short term erosion fix to. Landowners should not expect these walls to prevent the loss of structures in the future. Maitland Conservation encourages landowners in these situations to move their structures away from the shoreline. Please contact us for options regarding decommissioning or relocating structures off these properties if erosion persists.
To view the shoreline policies please click the link below:
Maitland Conservation Shoreline Policies
5. View Presentations
We’ve created short videos relating to the shoreline and posted them on You Tube. Thank you to the Ashfield Colborne Lakefront Association for supporting the production of these videos. Thank you also to the landowners who assisted with the project. Click the links below to view the videos:
- Living with Erosion – shoreline and bluff erosion are part of life along Lake Huron
- Shoreline Processes – information on fluctuating lake levels and erosion
- Lake Levels – factors impacting lake levels and projections for 2020
6. Want more shoreline information?
- Thinking about a shore protection structure in your area? Be sure to review the new factsheet we’ve created: Shore Protection and then contact Shannon Millar, Shoreline Technician, to discuss your situation before undertaking any work. Shannon can be reached at 519-335-3557 ext. 240 or at coastal@mvca.on.ca .
- Check out the other factsheets that have been posted on this page.
- Due to the COVID-19 situation staff are currently working remotely but Cottage Associations and landowners are welcome to reach out to us for on-line presentations on coastal processes and lake levels. We can provide these presentations in a variety of formats and staff are also available by phone and Zoom video conferencing. In addition, recent aerial photos are available to landowners if you would like to see the state of your shoreline without travelling. If you’re interested in an on-line presentation or shoreline photo, please contact Shannon Millar at coastal@mvca.on.ca or call 519-335-3557 ext. 240.
