Shrinking Lake Erie beaches spark concern as erosion rates decrease.
Shore erosion along Lake Erie's Ohio shore has decreased over time, even with high lake levels. Erosion rates go down when beaches are wider or have more shore protection structures, especially for clay and till deposits. Sand and shale deposits show less consistent decreases. Overall, erosion rates decrease as beach widths and shore protection structures increase. This decrease in erosion poses a challenge as the shore is the main source of beach sand.