by Trevor Terfloth
Higher water levels in the Great Lakes are leaving marina operators and tourism officials hopeful about the coming season.
A colder-than-normal winter has played a significant role, as well as last summer's heavy rainfall, in mitigating the situation.
However, Dave Barnier, co-owner of Erieau Marina, said the key is to have a happy medium, which he believes is possible this time.
"Right now, the water level is running at about long-term average," he said. "We should probably be just a little bit higher than last year.
"If we had to pick a level, this would be about where we'd pick it."
Barnier said if levels are too high, there can be the risk of flooding and the additional debris in the water that comes with it.
The latest data, which also includes Lake St. Clair, is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and measures the metres above sea level.
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2014/04/16/marina-operators-eager-for-boating-season
