The St. Clair County Health Department’s (SCCHD) water quality beach monitoring program kicks-off May 24, 2019 just in time for Memorial Day weekend. The SCCHD tests for E. coli bacteria weekly from Memorial Day to Labor Day at eight public beaches along Lake Huron and the St. Clair River.  colibacteria, found in the digestive systems of warm blooded animals, including humans, can indicate the presence of viruses and pathogens that can make us sick. Water naturally contains microorganisms regardless of how clean or clear the water look. Beaches may close after a heavy rainfall or strong wind storm because bacteria are washed into waterways or stirred up from waves. A beach is closed wheneverE. coliwater quality standards are exceeded.  Beach monitoring results are posted on our 24-hour Water Quality Hotline at 877-504-SWIM, “St. Clair County Beaches” Facebook page, the BeachGuard website at www.deq.state.mi.us/beach, and the “MyBeachCast” smartphone app. For more information, visithttp://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/health/bathing.aspx

In a recent release the St Clair County Emergency Operations Center is strongly encouraging Harsens Island residents to reduce the environmental impacts to the island.  Residents are urged to reduce all water consumption. Residents are also being encouraged to heavily reduce waste water generation by limiting the use of kitchen and restroom facilities and avoid pouring liquids down drains. Those individuals who are using drinking water wells should shut down the pump to protect the house from contamination from flood waters.  All chemicals, fuel sources, cleaning solvents, etc. should be removed from lower cabinets and stored in a higher location.  Domestic and farm animals should be sheltered in a location away from flooded areas.  Health Department and local governmental officials are continuing to monitor the situation and will update as more information becomes available.

In a recent email from Port Huron City Manager James Freed, he expressed concern due to the water levels in the Blue Water Area.  Officials made statements about the St. Clair River, stating it is noteworthy that anytime we get a “wind event” (SCA , Gale or Storm), most likely from 350 to 070 degrees or 190 to 270 degrees, all of the St. Clair river gauges go up a solid 2 to 6 inches which further exacerbates the problems. The NWS will issue a Lakeshore Flood Advisory for
SCC+ conditions with onshore flow for either Lake Huron or Lake St. Clair.  In the text of the Advisory…the National Weather Service will state something like, “the high water levels of the Great Lakes are already creating potential flooding issues for the St. Clair River communities from St. Clair south to Harsens Island. The strong NE/SW winds are expected add to this flood threat”.    The rising water levels will raise the Canal and Black River.  We don’t expect issues in the Canal District, however, some boats that were  able to fit under the Canal Gate last season may not fit this season.   Also, contractors are working to raise the docks in the Marina, as many are now under water.  Freed says, we have not seen water levels this high since the early 1980’s.

Sen. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Township, has announced that he will conduct an office hour this Friday, May 24.  Coffee hours are open to residents of the 25th Senate District to express their opinions or concerns about state government or to request assistance with a state issue.  Lauwers will be available to meet with constituents Friday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Cracker Barrel, at 2303 Water Street in Port Huron. Lauwers represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Huron, St. Clair and Sanilac counties, and Armada Township, Memphis, New Baltimore, Richmond and Richmond Township in Macomb County.  For more information, please contact Lauwers’ office toll-free at 1-855-347-8025 or by email atSenDLauwers@Senate.Michigan.gov. Residents unable to attend the office hours may write Lauwers at Sen. Dan Lauwers, P. O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Memorial Day is almost here, unofficially kicking off the boating season in Michigan.  Boaters, this season especially, are being asked to be extremely mindful of the no wake zones on the waterways of St. Clair County.  “The high water levels have the potential to cause a lot of damage to property, if boaters aren’t following the rules,” said St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon. “Our Marine Patrol Deputies will be strictly enforcing the no-wake laws throughout the county.”  According to the U.S. Army Corps of engineers, water levels on Lake Huron are expected to be the highest since 1986 and near record levels. The St. Clair River is currently near flooding levels, especially in southern St. Clair County. Other rivers in St. Clair County are also experiencing much higher than normal levels.  No wake zone maps for both the Port Huron area and southern St. Clair County can be found in this news story at wgrt.com.  Anyone who would like a PDF copy of the maps can e-mail Deputy Steve Campau at scampau@stclaircounty.org.