Dyke Risk Register cites major issues in Southeast Leamington

Hillman Beach barrier eroded

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — A recent report on the Dyke Risk Register in Southeast Leamington highlighted the need for urgent action, particularly in Leamington’s East Marsh area.

Leamington’s Manager of Engineering Services, Allan Botham, brought the report to Leamington Council on September 14.

Botham said that the adequacy of flood protection infrastructure for Southeast Leamington is challenged by the environment and rising lake levels and wave action.

A number of reports to council have been done on the subject through the years.

Botham said that Golder Associates was commissioned to prepare a Risk Register for three areas: East Marsh, Marentette Marsh and the Lloyd Drainage Scheme.

The report was emphatic that action needs to be taken.

“It’s not a matter of if — but rather when — a catastrophic flooding event will occur in Southeast Leamington,” he said.

There were three mechanisms studied for failure in the report from Golder Associates. The first mechanism was the overtopping of dykes from the top and backside. The second was wave action and the third was drain erosion as the banks of the drain begin to deteriorate.

Botham said the report confirms that East Marsh is at greatest risk of the three areas.

“The greatest risk is the wave action on the dyke now that Hillman Marsh Barrier Beach has eroded away,” he said.

This would be administration’s first priority, according to Botham. The municipality can apply for funding to mitigate the risk and they recommend additional reinforcement of the East Marsh Dyke.

The Marentette Scheme is at risk of overtopping due to wave action and the erosion of the barrier beach at the northeast corner of Point Pelee National Park.

At the Lloyd Drainage Scheme, the risk is related to difficulty in assessing the erosion due to large trees and vegetation.

A number of additional subjects in the report are also being considered by administration.

Councillor John Hammond asked if Point Pelee’s governance could be contacted to help with lobbying the federal government for additional funds.

“The government will do everything to protect that park,” he said. “I hope that they would become real partners with us to help solicit funds.”