The great flood of 2017

Sandbagging

We didn't get a lot of snow this winter, and there was some thought that the water levels might be low this year.  What we've actually got, is unusually high water in Lake Ontario - at least 70 cm higher than normal, and expected to rise until early June.  We've had a fair bit of rain, and in an effort to keep Montreal from completely flooding, the organization which manages water levels on the Great Lakes, has been unable to release more water through the St. Lawrence.

This weekend, when we are normally getting the club looking its best for Sailpast, we were filling sandbags trying to limit the impact of wave action on the clubhouse.  Because the island is all sand, and the water table is high, even if we keep the water from coming over the retaining wall, it still comes up from the ground.

We experience a weird ebb and flow of the water, which is really evident in front of the clubhouse.  Every 20 - 30 minutes, we go from having lots or dry areas, to ankle deep in water.  We tried to limit this by putting sandbags across the dinghy ramp, but there are enough gaps in the sea wall that the water still flows in and out.  

Louise

The launch ramp is another huge low spot, where the water comes rushing into the yard.  When the water is coming in, some areas behind the dinghy shed (where our locker is) are a foot or more under water.  Louise even got her kayak out, and paddled up the railway towards the winch house.