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Rainfall Continues to Increase Water Levels at Lake Ontario Rain Falls Continue to Increase Water Levels at Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario Continues to Flood Due to Rain

By Isis Young

"no fishing" signs and river
© 2019 Isis Young

Anchor (Ashtyn Hiron) – Over in Oswego.. Lake Ontario levels continue to rise and just yesterday in Cobourg the flooding exceeded the level that we saw in 2017. Our reporter Isis Young is live at the Oswego River and is trying her best to stay above water. Isis what are the conditions like there?

Reporter (Isis) – Well clearly I’m above water, but not by a lot. I’m here near the Oswego Marina where due to on and off rain today, water levels have continued to increase and it’s expected to go up tomorrow when we are expecting scattered thunderstorms. But rain is not the only major factor taking part in the flooding here…

Ernie Lantiegne – The Problem is when you get heavy winds from the west, it will raise the water level as much as 3 feet. And it will rise and it will fall because of the wind.

Isis – The water level at this parking lot is about 6-8 inches from overflowing into the lot. Earlier today, Captain Ernie showed me that while tying up his boat, he must wear boots to keep from being in the water. This even after the dock has been added onto..

Ernie – They had to raise the level. They had to put a dock on top of a dock so that we could access our boats. Otherwise, you couldn’t tie the boats up here.

Isis – Captain Ernie gives a lot of credit to Oswego Marina for taking care of the docks and ensuring access to their boats. From Oswego River, I’m Isis Young, back to you Ashtyn.

Ashtyn – Thanks Isis. Are the high water levels affecting business for any of the fishing charters?

Isis – Captain Ernie said no mam. There’s been lots of fish coming in. A couple customers have been a tiny bit weary about the high water levels, but everything is secure on the docks over here and it’s looking pretty good for business.

Ashtyn – Well stay dry out there.

By Isis Young SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Lake Ontario is dangerously flooding to a point where it could set a new record any day now. Just yesterday, the lake level was 1.2 inches shy of the record set in 2017 according to International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board.

The flooding continues to be a hazard to the docks and boats that frequently use Lake Ontario. In Oswego, the marina has been a huge help providing new docks to the fisherman says one Central New York resident.

“They have done a great job taking care of us. What they did was they had to raise the level,” said Captain Ernie Lantiegne of Fish Doctor Charters. “They had to put a dock on top of a dock so that we could access our boats. Otherwise, you couldn’t tie the boats up here.”

Recently, the rain falls have been a constant contributor to the water levels, but Captain Lantiegne says rain is not the only major factor contributing to the flooding.

“The problem is when you get heavy winds from the west, it will raise the water level as much as 3 feet. And it will rise and it will fall because of the wind,” said Captain Lantiegne.

Though several customers have expressed concern about high water levels, business for the fish charters has remained normal, if not increased says Captain Lantiegne.

He is simply hoping CNY can be free of any strong storms or heavy rains to allow Lake Ontario to crest in the next few months. Otherwise, more docks may need to be built in the near future.

 

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