BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Record high water levels have had a minimal impact on Lake Erie this summer.
The water level's daily average is at 574.71 feet as of Tuesday, which is more than a foot higher than the average last year and just shy of three feet higher than the average over the last century, according to the latest data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
But there is some impact.
"The beaches are pretty much gone," Jim Hanley, Charter Captain on Lake Erie, said. "I would say, if anything, the beaches along the shore just don't have as much surface area to play in. The only thing it kind of messes with is that we're used to fishing in certain areas."
Biologist Keith Sendziak said that there is some shoreline erosion which has resulted in some Lake Erie shoreline residents applying for a stabilization permit.
"The water level in Lake Erie is not as high over its mean as it is in Lake Ontario," Sendziak said. "Depending on wind events...it could cause water levels to rise and some structure damage along the shorelines. The homeowners have indicated to us it's bad and we've (permit applications) increase nationwide."
