Local conservation authorities are reminding and warning the public about the dangers of eroding bluffs near local shorelines.
The Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities say that shoreline bluffs continue to be at a high risk of collapse.
Erosion collapses are always a danger but the risk is currently higher than normal. This is because there can be a delay between erosion at the toe or bottom of the bluff and subsequent bluff failure.
This is a risk that can be further heightened due to seasonal rainfall and snowmelt that can saturate the ground and soften the bluffs in winter and early spring.
The conservation authorities are asking all landowners, the public and municipal employees to stay away from the top of the Lake Huron bluff, especially where there have been signs of over-steepening or slope movement.
ABCA has created a fact sheet to help shoreline residents recognize signs of erosion. It also offers best management practices. A PDF file of the fact sheet (https://www.abca.ca/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Shoreline-Slope-Stability-Risks-Hazards-LETTER.pdf) is found on the Lake Huron web page (https://www.abca.ca/watersheds/lake-huron) on the abca.ca website.
If you have questions about shoreline bluff erosion, staff contact information is available on the conservation authority websites at abca.ca and mvca.on.ca.