THUNDER BAY – Coastal erosion and flooding are the two main threats identified so far by a new initiative that is looking at climate-related risks along the Lake Superior shoreline.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA), in collaboration with Conservation Ontario, has launched a planning initiative to develop a Coastal Resilience Management Plan for the stretch of Lake Superior shoreline between Neebing and Dorion.
In July, the LRCA hosted the first of four public open houses, designed to inform residents and gather community input early in the process. “This initial open house is meant to get people thinking and talking about their experiences with the coast,” said Melissa Haresign Project Manager from the KGS Group.
She stated that local observations will help strengthen the technical analysis and ensure solutions are grounded in a real-world context.
In some locations, erosion is threatening private property, while high water levels and storm-driven flooding pose risks to homes and infrastructure. “These are the two primary vulnerabilities we’re seeing along the Lake Superior coast,” Haresign explained.
Fieldwork began in April 2025, with research teams collecting data on wave action, water levels, and shoreline conditions. This data will support detailed hazard mapping, erosion and flood risk assessments, and predictive modelling to understand how the shoreline might evolve under both present-day and future climate scenarios.
The project involves a team of specialized partners providing hazard mapping and geographic information systems expertise. DHI is responsible for the coastal modelling work, while Zuzek Inc. is contributing expertise in shoreline dynamics and climate resilience.
As the project lead, the LRCA will eventually apply the plan’s findings to guide future policy and planning decisions.
The initiative will unfold in several phases through 2027, with technical mapping and analysis continuing over the next year. A vulnerability assessment is scheduled for summer 2026, followed by a second public open house in November 2026 to present those findings.
In 2027, the project will move into its final stages, with draft adaptation strategies and conceptual solutions being developed and shared with the public during a third open house. A final plan will follow, incorporating both technical data and community feedback.
“We’re not just looking at present-day conditions, we’re also evaluating how climate change may shift those hazards in the years ahead,” said a team member. “It’s essential that this plan remains forward-looking.”
Public participation will continue to be a central part of the process. The LRCA encourages residents to stay engaged by attending upcoming open houses and sharing their knowledge, concerns, and ideas. By blending scientific research with local input, the Coastal Resilience Management Plan aims to help communities along Lake Superior become more climate-resilient.
The project is funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Resilient Coastal Communities program. It will evaluate vulnerabilities along the coast to help inform long-term adaptation strategies.
The study area stretches approximately 200 kilometres, from the Municipality of Neebing’s western boundary, near the U.S. border, to eastern edge of Dorion Township.
The LRCA received approximately $651,500 in federal funding to support the project, which has an overall budget of $883,000. Natural Resources Canada is covering 75% of the cost, while the LRCA is contributing the remaining funds.