1. Coastal Resiliency Project
Over the next several years, Maitland Conservation will be collaborating with the shoreline community to build our mutual understanding of coastal resiliency.
Maitland Conservation and our shoreline municipalities will soon have up-to-date shoreline hazard mapping and data, furthering our insight and understanding of the shoreline and its processes. This information provides an opportunity to consider how we have interacted with the Lake Huron shoreline in the past, and how we might evolve our interaction in the future, for a healthier and less hazardous coast.
We will be hosting discussions and sharing information on dynamic natural features (i.e. beaches and dunes) and shoreline natural hazards (i.e. erosion). We need the community’s input to plan a well-informed vision for the future.
We have identified potential stakeholder groups and organizations that we believe have an interest in coastal resilience. We’re also looking for input from the general shoreline community. Your opinions are integral to the success of this project.
If you’re interested in being involved please fill out the form posted below and email it to:
Elizabeth Huber-Kidby, Outreach Technician
outreachtech@mvca.on.ca
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
Staff provided an update on the project to Maitland Conservation Members at their April 19th meeting. Written comments from the public regarding the updated mapping are currently being accepted and staff are continuing to work with project consultants. It is expected that the mapping will be approved by the Maitland Conservation Members in the fall of 2023. Please direct comments about the updated mapping to:
Patrick Huber-Kidby, Planning and Regulations Supervisor
[e] phuber-kidby@mvca.on.ca
[t] 519-335-3557 ext. 237
Note: this mapping project does not include changes to Maitland Conservation’s shoreline policies.
Project Resources
A web-mapping application has been created to share the draft shoreline hazard mapping. Please click the button below to view the draft mapping:
There are two information sheets posted below that provide background information to assist with interpreting the maps:
Presentations by the consultants working on the project have been posted on YouTube. Click the links below to view these presentations on components of the Shoreline Hazard Mapping Project.
- Presentation on Shoreline Flood Hazard
- Presentation on Shoreline Erosion Hazard
- Presentation on Dynamic Beaches
Visual representations of the draft Shoreline Hazard Mapping Update have been put together by Zuzek Inc. and SJL Engineering. These videos are also posted on YouTube and can be viewed by clicking the links below.
- Shoreline Hazard Mapping – Amberley to Port Albert
- Shoreline Hazard Mapping – Port Albert to Goderich
- Shoreline Hazard Mapping – Goderich to south Maitland Conservation boundary
- Dynamic Beach Hazard – Amberley
- Dynamic Beach Hazard – Goderich
Public Information Centres
Two Public Information Centres relating to the Shoreline Hazard Mapping Update were held over the past year. If you weren’t able to attend, we’ve posted information sheets below that highlight key elements of the mapping update.
- Background and Objectives
- Study Area Map
- Reach 1 and 2 photos
- Reach 3 and 4 photos
- Hazard Definitions
- Bluff Erosion Cycle
- Lake Bottom Survey
- Climate Change Impacts
- Shoreline Hazard Definitions
Questions?
If you have questions about the mapping project please contact:
Patrick Huber-Kidby, Planning and Regulations Supervisor
[e] phuber-kidby@mvca.on.ca
[t] 519-335-3557 ext. 237
3. Imminent Bluff Failures and Bluff Safety – webinar available for viewing
Although the level of Lake Huron has dropped in recent weeks, the risk of bluff failure remains very high. The high water levels over the past two years have caused toe erosion (bottom of the bluff) in some areas that will cause top of bluff failures in the future. Landowners who live at the top of an eroded bluff should be aware of the risk for loss of life and property (at both the top and bottom of the bluff).
A presentation on the potential of significant bluff erosion and tips on bluff safety is available for viewing on YouTube:
The webinar is approximately 30 minutes in length. We have taken the questions asked during the webinar and compiled them into a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document.
If you have additional questions please contact Patrick Huber-Kidby at:
Patrick Huber Kidby, Planning and Regulations Supervisor
[e] phuber-kidby@mvca.on.ca
[t] 519-335-3557 ext. 237
4. Shoreline Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who responded to our shoreline survey in 2021. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your flooding and erosion concerns. The general results of the survey are posted below:
General Shoreline Survey Results – 2021
5. Shoreline Policies
Shoreline policies regulate development within the various natural hazards of the Lake Huron Shoreline.
To view the shoreline policies please click the link below:
Maitland Conservation Shoreline Policies
6. 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
- Shoreline Bluff Webinar – risk of bluff failure and bluff safety tips
7. 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 Patrick Huber-Kidby, Planning and Regulations Supervisor, to discuss your situation before undertaking any work. Patrick can be reached at 519-335-3557 ext. 237 or at phuber-kidby@mvca.on.ca.
- Check out the other factsheets that have been posted on this page.
- 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’re interested in an on-line presentation or shoreline photo, please contact Patrick Huber-Kidby at phuber-kidby@mvca.on.ca or call 519-335-3557 ext. 237.
