New research done on Lake Erie reveals frequency of seiche
Seiche refers to the standing waves oscillating on a body of water
Seiche occurs when strong winds force water from one side of the body to the other side, increasing displacement levels at one end and decreasing displacement levels at the other. Over time, the water rebounds, which can be destructive in extreme cases.
Toledo saw the impacts of this on January 13, 2023, in which the western side of Lake Erie was forced east, revealing incredible treasures and sights at the bottom of the lake. Even though it produced some tremendous sights, the rebounding of the water can be dangerous to communities right along the lakeshore.
“This was a pretty moderate event of a pretty routine frequency,” said Madeleine Dewey, a coastal planner with the US Army Corps of Engineers - Buffalo District. “So we can expect to see this kind of event once more this year, if not, more.”
The study aimed to discover the likelihood of certain water level displacements (WLDs) within a calendar year. Because of the orientation of Lake Erie, strong southeasterly breezes would force the water towards Buffalo, New York, making this a perfect set-up for seiches.
Across 24 sites and over 20 years of data, those at the United States Army Corps of Engineers were able to determine the frequency of certain scale seiches. It was found that there is a 1% chance that seiches creating WLDs of near 6 feet will happen once through a calendar year.
Research on seiche is important because it helps residents and agencies to prepare for strong surge, which can create flash flooding-like hazards. Other concerns include beach erosion and overtopping of boats and docks.
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