Ipperwash Beach, including West Ipperwash beach, is a dynamic beach as defined by provincial guidelines. The Lake Huron flood, erosion and dynamic beach hazard is regulated by the SCRCA, where it has jurisdiction. The Conservation Authority’s Regulation objective is to protect the dynamic beach system in order to prevent risk to flooding and erosion to properties during high lake level periods.
In Summer 2016, SCRCA retained Baird and Associates to undertake an assessment of the dynamic beach hazard on West Ipperwash Beach. Several community meetings were held in 2016 and SCRCA staff presented the draft report at the Spring 2017 joint Kettle Stoney Point Lambton Shores Open House.
The SCRCA Board of Directors authorized the circulation of the Baird and Associates West Ipperwash Dynamic Beach Assessment report for comment. The project deliverables included a Best Management Practices brochure and Development Guidelines based on Coastal Best Practices and engineering analysis. The coastal engineering study recommended a reduction in the dynamic beach hazard and ways to improve the beach. SCRCA produced an additional map outlining the Shoreline Management Areas which are referred to in the Development Guidelines chart.