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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-08-13, Page 5CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1986—Page 5 Wavebusters (top) and tiles are two methods tried at the foot of Pioneer Park. Wavebusters is the latest erosion control method. (Anne Narejke photos) In order to install the final portions of the steel groin wall, workers are forced to use a barge. These H.D. Marine Contractors Lakefront Erosion Control employees were near- ke frcrnt p roperty owners ing completion of a wall on the north side of Bayfield. (Anne Narejko photo) ra J -orrc�on,ernl r`Jrosion-a • kern page 1 "Ontario Hydro has shut-off their's once and at another time they reduced the flow, but it didn't•have much effect." The possibility of building a dam at Lake Erie, which is connected to Lake Huron, Was explored at one time. A study showed the idea to be possible but not economical- ly wise. "The greatest impact would have lowered Lake Huron by five inches," he I said. Outlook As for the future, "It's tough to predict," said Mr. Moulton. "We're not very likely to I be a whole lot lower - in the short $ term,.,there's so much water in the system inow...Sometune in the future, it might be a decade or two away, we will be hit with low levels like Preventive Measures 1960s."ere in the early Many cottager' and property owners along the lake shore have watched their beaches disappear, their vegetation tum- ble into the water and their cottages and homes edge closer to the bank. According to a book put out by Environ- ment Canada entitled Great Lakes Levels, "shore erosion is caused principal- ly by storm induced waves and associated anent' along the shoreline. The problem n be compounded by Lake Erie, saying the lake was hit by a severe storm last December, destroying beaches and cottages. He also said proper- ty along Lake Erie has suffered the most damage. In the News -Record coverage area, the Varea slfind ng its e of beaches disappearing afield and nd the banks suffering severe erosion. The village has taken some preventive measures, using tiles as a type of erosion control and on July 28, wave busters, the latest form of erosion control, were placed along the shoreline. There are many forms of erosion control available, but Bayfield Reeve Johnston summed up the frustration felt by . property owners at cotu►cil s_ July 22 meeting when he said, "Everyone's got ideas, but no one's got assurances that they will work." Dick Peever, of H.D. Marine Contrac- tors Lakefront Erosion Control, explained there are many different kinds of erosion control using different structures, with many Bayfield residents trying a variety of types. reihaps the most controversial form is the steel groin. However, it does produce quick results for the property owner. Mr. Peever explained that steel groins are just starting to be used inthis r area,e and although he admits any type ddhigh lake levels As an example of this, Mr. Moulton used tion is better than no g, he does tel the steel 'groin walls ar the best. "Everyone is trying different methods, but any form of protection is good," he said. "Lake Huron is mean when the . November ensive to stop thebut waves we can do soales hit. It's too mething to harness them." One way of harnessing the waves is to break them further away from the bank. This will -allow the water to push the sand up and gently roll out. The steel groins do break the waves and build a beach. According to Peter Cook, Regional Engineer for the SouthwesternRegion of the Ministry ,of Natural Resources who was also a guest speaker at the Grand Bend meeting, the walls are built at a right angle to -the beach. He also added that part of the reason for them beingso cont because the previous regulations. These regula- tions have since been changed. However, the Ministry, which must ap- prove all types of erosion control built on crown land (on the vegetation line or under water or on the beach), is very careful when giving approval for the steel groin wall. "We do have some problems giving per- mission for the. groins. They do have their benefits and there are negatives. We like to see them built in a planned manner - a group at a time," he said. During the question period, one man ex- pressed his dislike for his neighbors' groins. "Before they put up a groin I had 77 feet of beach...It just takes one man's sand and gives it to another," he said. the Mr. Cook said that the groin gentleman had referred to was too long and orders are being given to have it shortened. He also said that applications for groins can be refused if the Ministry feels it would be detrimental to surroun- ding property owners. "One one hand they provide protection for people with serious problems. On the other hand they are a concern to other pro- perty owners," said Mr. Cook. Gabion Baskets Other residents in the Bayfield area have used gabion baskets to help their ero- sion problems. The gabion basket con- sists of rocks and large stones incased in wire. Both Mr. Peever and Mr. Cook agree that this type of control is not that effective in deep water or large storms. After a period of time, the wire breaks and the material inside the basket escapes. Walking along the water's edge or look- ing over the bank, one can see these baskets and the effect they have had. The newest form of erosion control is the wave buster. Their effectiveness cannot be determined at this point because they are so new. Inspection One point Mr. Peever stressed was that people should get a professional opinion from an unbiased source before implemen- ting any form of erosion control. "It is important to have an engineer from the Ministry of Natural Resources look at the problem first. This way you'll know you're getting good advise," he said. Many Bayfield and area property owners are taking advantage of the pro - Shoreline Property Assistance gram which offers loans at low interest 1605. Through the program, repairs or protec- tion of privately owned shoreline, lands aid structures can be made if damaged miedoc- curred because of hig. _ .levels. The terms of the loan are an eight per cent interest rate which is repayable over 10 years. through property taxes said Alec Scott, Water Resources Co -Ordinator with ARCA. owner will The amount a property receive is up to 75 per cent of the cost or a maximum of $500 per metre for shoreline protection. For building repairs, the pro- perty owner is entitled up to 75 per cent or $20,x•owner To apply for the loan, the property must go through the municipality. es - .. left have helped save some of the land which they . .. baskets (left) were placed to protect. Without them, the wherebtt theaek would have been carried away as the land beneath the steps was. However, a coni- and deg is standing onproblem with the baskets is the fact that they do break open, as the basket to the right of the larger One did• At right, a steel groin wall has helped restore the beach to its right io only is being tried a matter of weeks Eg Once nce thea thisbi aeh reaches the end f the wall, the sand will fill in on the other side. This south of Bayfield. (Anne ATarejko photos)