Rotary Cove Beach, Goderich.
Goderich council has deferred a decision on shoreline hardening.
Steve Jackson, a project manager from BM Ross, says that a solution to help protect the shoreline from further erosion is to take natural sediment and put it at the bottom of the bluffs.
“The concept of a feeder beach is you’re taking that natural sediment that would otherwise be disposed of, and placing it at the toe of the slope.”
Although Council had to wait a long time for such a report to be presented, they wanted to wait until they get input from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority is able to do their own sediment bypass modeling.
The report also shows that BM Ross consulted with Saugeen Ojibway Nation, who was opposed to shoreline hardening.
“Saugeen Ojibway Nation, generally speaking, they are generally opposed to any additional shoreline armouring for a host of reasons that are in the report,” says Jackson. “They were supportive though of a feeder beach and [its] potential benefits.”
The study looked at the part of the shoreline that’s considered part of Huron County, which stretches from Amberley to Grand Bend.
Natural bluff erosion is essential for the maintenance of sand beaches, but can cause issues with homes build near the water, as well as municipal infrastructure.