Lake Huron e-news - May 2016

Get Ready for Some Learnin'   On Friday, May 27th, the Coastal Centre will be hosting its 9th biennial conference on Lake Huron’s coastal environment. We’ve named this event “Is the Coast Clear?” in order to raise the question of whether or not our communities are making any progress or gaining any clarity in how Lake Huron’s environment is being treated. As the title implies, we’re not out of the woods yet, but many people are involved in addressing the challenges.
 
The great value of the conference is in providing the opportunity for interested people in the lake community to come together, learn about  issues and actions, and network with one another.  We bring in knowledgeable (and entertaining) experts to share the most current information on issues of importance to Lake Huron. We’ve covered many topics over the years relating to water quality, biodiversity, coastal processes and climate change.
 
This year’s conference continues the tradition of excellence, with Dr. Diane Saxe, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, as our keynote speaker.   Diane will be followed by a line-up of great presentations.   If there is one frustration that past delegates have shared with us, it’s that we have so many great talks that they can’t get to all the ones they want to attend. It's gotten to the point where people come in pairs or more, so they can split up and attend as many presentations as possible! That’s okay. That’s the kind of interest ­(and strategic thinking) that we relish.
 
While we may not be McDonald’s, with “Billions Served,” our conference has attracted more than 1000 delegates over the years. It’s not only quality programming in a beautiful lakeshore setting – you also get treated to a great lunch, lots of opportunties to network and loads of information to take home! Plus, we’re minutes from a walk on the beach, once the conference is over!!
 
Of course, a quality event like “Is the Coast Clear?” is only possible (and affordable) through generous sponsors. Thanks to our conference sponsor Bruce Power, platinum sponsors Enbridge, Huron Clean Water Project, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and Ontario Power Generation, and gold sponsors Saugeen Conservation and B. M. Ross & Associates Limited
 
Register following the instructions on our conference webpage, or call us at (226) 421-3029.  You can get the Early Bird rate until May 20, so don’t delay!  

(article by Geoff Peach, Coastal Resources Manager) Up and Away!

Water levels on Lake Huron have continued to climb since last summer. The warm El Nino Fall/Winter/Spring has influenced the rates of evaporation. Since evaporation rates are highest when cold Arctic air masses flow over the lake, the significantly warmer temperatures this season has meant reduced evaporation rates. As well, precipitation has been high over this period, with December getting about 150% of typical precipitation.
 
Lake levels are currently 30 cm. above where they were at this time last year, and projected to increase an additional 5-10 cm. in May. For people returning to the beach this summer, some beaches may appear narrow due to the higher lake levels. In some areas with natural sand dunes, storms will have caused some erosion, creating dune scarps. On the bright side, all of that eroded sand will provide nice sandy beaches on which to lay a towel.  

(Photo showing sand beach in front of eroded dune scarp. The eroded dune forms the adjacent fine sand beach. April 2016)

 

In bluff areas, narrow beaches may be a bit more disconcerting, as the narrower beaches provide less protection from oncoming stormwaves, which can lead to bluff erosion. The importance of bluff vegetation on slopes is extremely important in preventing most erosion conditions, and yet we are still getting reports of people clear-cutting bluff slopes to gain a better view of the lake. We’ve talked about the perils of this practice in past issues.

 

(Some dunes have undergone significant erosion this spring.

This 2 metre scarp at Point Clark illustrates the amount of sand that has eroded as part of the normal high lake dune cycle. April 2016)

While the higher lake levels may provide better swimming opportunities (less algae fouling), watch going in to the water as branches and roots that may have been on the beach last year may be underwater and pose a hazard underfoot if stepped on.

New Digs

  Our office has moved!!  The Coastal Centre is now located at 76 Courthouse Square, right in the heart of downtown Goderich. Drop by this summer and have a visit. We’re right next to an ice cream shop.
 
That got your attention.
  Remember Your Mother
  May is a great month. Flowers blossoming, trees breaking into full leaf, birds chirping and warmer days. We also celebrate Mother’s Day in May. Make sure you remember your mother. She gave you love and nourishment, and all the things you needed to grow. Just like Mother Earth. Mother Earth gives us clean water and food to nourish our bodies, and beaches and nature to nourish our souls.
 
You can give both mothers the gift of conservation by donating to the Coastal Centre. What a way to honour Mom, and Mom Earth! 
  To make a donation, click here.