Lake Winnipeg a growing, blowing concern for residents

As Lake Manitoba residents once again batten down the hatches and build sandbag dikes to protect properties from vicious waves and high water, those around Lake Winnipeg are now facing the same threats.

Many shorelines and beaches have been swallowed by the swollen lake levels.

Where there was once nearly seven metres of sand before the water's edge, there is now a sliver of beach, if any at all.

• Wind warnings remain for Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg

At Black's Point beach inGrindstone Provincial Park, the water is surroundingthebenches on the beach, and the bridge to get to the beach is floating away.

Winnipeg Beach is also taking a pounding andwaves more than a metre high arewashing over bulkheads.

TonyPimentel, the mayorof Winnipeg Beach, saidseveral properties at either end of the community are sandbagged, but they may need shoring up as awind warning has been issued by Environment Canada for all ofLake Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Beach resident Ann Hoogstraten is worried if the wind continues, the dike will gave way.

Im so concerned that I left my house last night, and its the second time in two weeks that Ive left my house and not stayed here, said Hoogstraten. Its just the beginning, and its really bad right now.

Six generations of Hoogstratens family have lived in the area, but she said if the province doesnt come up with a permanent solution to strengthen the dikes, she will move.

Winnipeg Beach's famousboardwalk is also in trouble.

"The boardwalk is going to be closed down probably for this weekend because of the wave action washing away the sand underneath the boardwalk," Pimentelsaid.

And it just so happens this weekend is the community's annual Boardwalk Days festival, lamentedPimentel, who saidthis is shaping up to be a terrible summer.

"And our piers, they're closed off. Thewater levels are so highin fact, down some of the streets they can't be used at all because water levels are right up to the, almost to the roads," he said.

Nearby, on Willow Island, Roy Robertson is watching waves creep closer and closer to his cottage.

The only road to the community is at risk of being washed out, and Robertson said hes been told the lake could rise by another half metre or more.

Its the hardest thing trying to control it, which you cant, said Robertson. You dont want to hear it and see it crashing in and destroying your property.