Lake Ontario to see more natural flow

WILSON, N.Y. (WIVB) - The International Joint Commission has drafted a plan that will allow Lake Ontario to follow a more natural seasonal flow. The current plan was set in the 1960s and it regulates the water levels.

Under the proposed plan it would mean for higher highs and lower lows.

"Right now we have some more information about some of the detriment that is done to the environment and some loss of the wetlands to the Lake Ontario shore and the upper St. Lawrence River," explained George Controneo of the US Army Corp of Engineers Hydraulics branch.

With the higher water, what does this mean for creeks, streams, and storm surges?

"We are talking centimeters or inches. This will not have an impact of the outflow from streams and creeks," assured Controneo.

Dave Godfrey of the Niagara County Legislature disagrees and said that this change would have huge impacts on not only the creeks and streams, but it would economically hurt the area.

"A higher water is going to be pulling more land away. Plus it will flood our harbors and dockage and our projects have been built on a plan that was here almost 50 years ago. So all that is just going to go away," he warned.

An area that was a boat access ramp that extended all the way past the wall has eroded over the course of 50 years and that is under the current plan. Under the proposed plan, there would be even more erosion.

The International Joint Commission has said that this plan is not set in stone and is willing to listen to all concerns.  A public hearing is set for June 5th from 7-8 PM at the Olcott Fire Co on 1691 Lockport-Olcott Road.

For information on the IJC's plan click here.