GREECE, N.Y. — The town of Greece is taking proactive steps as Lake Ontario water levels rise close to flood stage, prompting concerns among lakefront residents. Lake Ontario is currently at about 246.8 feet, approaching the flood stage of 247.3 feet, according to Douglas Dobson, an Edgemere Drive resident.
He said the rising water is linked to Plan 2014, a water management system used by the International Joint Commission to control outflow from Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River.
“It appears that the F limit is in place and what that means is the Ottawa River is flowing pretty fast. So they have to cut back on the St. Lawrence River,” Dobson said.
Greece Supervisor Jeff McCann said the town received information from the IJC in early March indicating lake levels were in a good place. However, an incredibly wet March and April changed that outlook.
“The level of the lake is very close to flood stage,” McCann said. The town has staged pumps on Edgemere Drive and inspected valves that can shut off ponds to prevent water from entering from that side. McCann said the Department of Public Works crews stand ready to deploy equipment if needed.
“We wanted to do more than hope. We wanted to be in a position to actually take action, again, to be ready to serve them and protect them and their property,” McCann said.
Dobson approached the town with concerns about whether flooding equipment was ready. Town crews then inspected and prepared the pumps and generators. “I think it’s great that the town of Greece, the new town supervisor, is being proactive. Is getting all of the equipment, the flooding equipment, the pumps, the generators, the sandbags,” Dobson said.
Edgemere Drive has experienced significant flooding in 2017 and 2019, when water levels reached close to 250 feet. The town worked with the state on several projects to install permanent pump lines under streets, replacing the roughly 15 hoses that crossed roads during the 2019 flooding. Residents can request sandbags from the town, which has about 40,000 bags in supply.
The town will deliver bags and sand, though they are not pre-filled. McCann said residents should ensure their sump pumps work and consider lifting valuables off basement floors.
Dobson, who has lived on Edgemere Drive for 50 years, said Plan 2014 allows the lake to fluctuate 10 feet from high to low, compared to the previous Plan 1958DD, which controlled levels within about four feet.
The IJC promised an expedited review of Plan 2014 after the 2019 flooding, but that review has not been released.
“Plan 2014 needs to be adjusted. There’s good parts on it and there’s bad parts of Plan 2014,” Dobson said. Dobson is preparing water barriers — metal cages filled with water-filled bags that stand about four and a half feet high — to protect his home.
New break walls and rocks have been installed along the shoreline since 2019, replacing what was once a sandy beach.
McCann emphasized the partnership between residents and the town. “A partnership like that where residents come and have conversations with us is something we encourage and we find productive,” McCann said.
Edgemere Drive residents brace for possible flooding as lake level climbs to 246.8 feet WHEC.com.
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