The major storm that blew through Cornwall on Christmas Eve brought a lot of snow and gale force winds. In less than 24 hours, the wind blew south east at 18 mph with gusts to 30 mph and then clocked around to south west at 32 mph with gusts to 44 mph. As a result the level on Lake St Lawrence near Long Sault fluctuated wildly – first down 1.5 ft and then back up 4.9 ft. You can see the gauge at the Control Dam at https://tides.gc.ca/en/stations/14805/2022-12-21?tz=EST&unit=ft .
This occurred while the Seaway was open and ships were proceeding up and down the river. The idea that the IJC directing Ontario Power Generation and the New York Power Authority can control the forces of Mother Nature is farcical. Sixty years of experience has proved otherwise. Folks that live along that portion of the river on Island 17, Hoople Bay, Ault Island, Wilson Hill; local governments and our MP Eric Duncan need to realize this. Verbal complaints will get nowhere. The only solution is to build docks and access points that can accommodate rapid changes in water level. All docks need to be floating with a hinged approach ramp. They must also be removable to avoid ice damage in the winter. All boat ramps need to be long enough. Similarly, a municipal water intake must be located in deep enough water and commercial shipping must load only to the predicted safe draft over the sill at the locks.
