Lake Ontario has reached a key emergency threshold in Sodus Point, prompting local officials to intensify preparations as water levels continue to rise.
Mayor Pat Nolan said the lake hit 247.00 feet as of noon April 30, activating the village’s emergency response plan and signaling the potential for additional protective measures if conditions worsen.
The updated reading marks a steady climb from earlier in the week, when levels were measured at 246.80 feet and rising by roughly a third to a half inch per day. Officials say continued rainfall, runoff, and water management decisions along the St. Lawrence River are contributing to the increase.
Nolan said village crews are already coordinating with county and state emergency management agencies and staging materials to respond quickly if flooding becomes a concern. Stormwater systems have been adjusted, including closing gravity-fed gates and switching pumps to automatic operation, as part of efforts to manage rising water and protect infrastructure.
The 247.00-foot mark serves as a trigger point under the village’s emergency plan, prompting more aggressive readiness actions based on lessons from past high-water events.
While no immediate flooding impacts were reported, officials said conditions remain fluid and could change quickly depending on weather and water flow decisions in the coming days.
Residents are being urged to prepare now by checking sump pumps, moving valuables out of low-lying areas, and clearing debris along shorelines. Additional updates are expected as conditions evolve, with Nolan indicating another briefing will be provided in the coming days.
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