Rising water levels on Lake Ontario are prompting local officials in Sodus Point to prepare for possible flooding, with conditions already trending upward early in the spring season.
Mayor Pat Nolan said water levels have climbed to 246.80 feet, marking a noticeable increase since the start of April and raising concerns about how quickly conditions could change in the coming weeks.
According to Nolan, the International Joint Commission is currently managing water flows under Plan 2014, with outflows reduced to balance downstream conditions along the St. Lawrence River. That balancing act, combined with seasonal rainfall and runoff, is contributing to daily lake level increases estimated between 0.3 and 0.5 inches.
The Lake Ontario portion of the plan does not activate additional measures until water levels reach 247.00 feet. Nolan said the village’s emergency response plan is tied to that threshold, triggering more aggressive actions if levels continue to rise.
Local officials have already begun coordinating with state and county emergency management teams, reviewing resources and planning potential response efforts based on past high-water events. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not updated its long-term forecast for April, Nolan said the village is working with the most current data available, which continues to change daily.
As a precaution, the village has closed gravity-fed stormwater gates and switched pump systems to automatic operation. Nolan said those measures are functioning as intended and are part of a broader strategy to manage water flow and protect infrastructure.
Residents are being urged to take steps now to prepare for possible high water, including checking sump pumps, moving belongings out of flood-prone areas, clearing shoreline obstructions, and installing protective barriers where needed.
Village officials said additional updates will be provided if conditions worsen or if sandbagging and other protective measures become necessary.
Despite the uncertainty, Nolan said the village remains prepared and focused on minimizing impacts, emphasizing ongoing efforts to protect both infrastructure and residents as the spring season progresses.
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