Willoughby, Ohio, Seeks Solutions to Lake Erie Shoreline Erosion

The city of Willoughby, Ohio, revealed they are seeking an immediate and temporary repair to help curb erosion in Osborne Park along the Lake Erie shore. The shore has faced rapid erosion in recent years due to high water levels and storms. In response, the city is preparing to seek bids.

“This is kind of an emergency repair situation,” said City Engineer Jim Sayles. “The city’s going to have to look at more of a long-term plan to address the erosion issue into the future, but we need to immediately spend some money here to do some immediate repairs because of what’s happened over the past year.”

Previously, the city had implemented concrete barriers as a part of their erosion control plan, but the barriers have settled into the sand, reported The News-Herald. Additionally, a force main water line runs parallel to the eroded shoreline, but currently is not severely impacted by the erosion.

“This, currently, is just going to be a temporary fix due to the erosion that’s happening right now to give us time to put the long-term plan into effect to maintain that whole shoreline, and hopefully go forward with our masterplan,” said Councilman Chris Woodwin of future plans.

According to Woodwin, the city’s police and fire departments used a drone to take aerial photos of the shoreline, identifying a few additional areas with erosion damage. These photos may inform future erosion control efforts by the city.