​Smart Beach Light scheduled to be installed at Kincardine's Station Beach, May 15

The Municipality of Kincardine will install a new Smart Beach Light at Station Beach as part of the Smart Beach program, an initiative focused on improving waterfront safety through real-time monitoring, technology, and public education.

The light is a real-time beach warning system that uses green, yellow, and red signals to communicate current water conditions and help beach-goers make informed decisions before entering the water.

Installation is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at Station Beach in Kincardine. Following installation, the system will undergo approximately two weeks of calibration and testing while it is connected to nearshore modelling technology. During this period, the sign will be covered or clearly marked as “Testing in Progress” and should not be relied upon for swimming decisions.

The Smart Beach Light will be located near the main pedestrian access to the public swimming area. The system reflects conditions within the designated swimming area at Station Beach, from the no-swim zone near the pier to the southern public beach access points.

The jetty area is always unsafe for swimming, and a 200-metre no-swimming zone is in place south of the pier, regardless of the signal displayed.



The municipality will announce when the system is fully operational and ready for public use.

The warning system uses SwimSmart technology and nearshore modelling developed through the Smart Beach program in partnership with the University of Waterloo. It integrates real-time data — such as wave conditions, wind, and currents — and translates it into a clear, colour-coded signal displayed on a solar-powered FlashBoard.

“This project represents an important step forward in how we communicate changing lake conditions to the public,” said mayor Kenneth Craig. “Many local residents are familiar with the changing conditions at Station Beach, but as more visitors continue to enjoy our waterfront, it’s important that we provide clear, accessible safety information to help people make informed decisions. As one of the first systems of its kind on Lake Huron, the Smart Beach Light reflects our commitment to innovation, public safety, and enhancing the beach experience for everyone who visits Kincardine.”

Once operational, the system will display three hazard levels:
 

• Red – High Hazard – Exercise extreme caution
• Yellow – Medium Hazard – Exercise increased caution
• Green – Low Hazard – Does not mean no hazard

Beach-users will be encouraged to check the sign regularly throughout their beach stay, as conditions can change quickly. Beach-users are responsible for their own personal safety at all times. Note that ‘Low Hazard’ does not mean ‘No Hazard.’

A formal ribbon-cutting event to mark the system launch, will take place in early June once the calibration period is complete.

This installation represents the next phase of the Smart Beach program at Station Beach, building on several years of research and data collection to better understand wave conditions and beach-user behaviour.

Smart Beach is a research and innovation program focused on improving beach safety through real-time monitoring, predictive modelling, and public education. The program brings together municipalities, researchers, and technology partners to better understand and respond to surf-related hazards in Great Lakes communities.

As part of this work, research activities at Station Beach will include voluntary surveys and observational studies led by the University of Waterloo to better understand how beach-goers perceive risk and respond to safety information. Findings will help evaluate the effectiveness of the warning system and inform future improvements to beach-safety initiatives.

For more information about the Smart Beach Light and the Smart Beach program, visit www.kincardine.ca/smartbeach.