Water levels on Lake Ontario continue to creep upward, and the situation is causing great concern for many people who live along the shore line. Some are putting their home in a new type of break wall, which is now being tested in the town of Greece.

On a choppy day open the lake, the waves crashing into Doug Dobson’s break wall probably can’t do much more damage than they did last year.  With high lake levels and flooding for two of the previous three years, the wall keeping the lake away from his property collapsed.  He figures it will cost $100,000 to fix it.

“Now it’s all smashed and I got to have it all rebuilt,” said Dobson, president of the Crescent Beach Neighborhood Association.

Neighbors are concerned with a recent uptick in lake levels, which are about two feet higher than normal.

“We’re on pins and needles down here,” said Bob Rutz.  “Every day i look at the numbers, and maybe I shouldn’t be doing that.”

Worried property owners may have a new ally on their side when it comes to protecting their properties.  Pepsi Kettavong, an inventor and owner of Novat Lakeshore, has designed a break wall designed to absorb the force of waves, and turn them away.  The device, called Smart Breakwall Diversion System, is on display now along the lake.

“To me it seems we are going about it the wrong way,” said Kettavong of traditional stone or steel break walls.  “That is, to confront the force of nature.”

Dobson called the inventor after last year’s flooding.  Crews installed a test section last week when the waters were calm.  The wall’s curved engineering filters and absorbs wave impact.  Those who’ve seen it in action this week believe it can work.

“It’s a great concept” said Rutz.  “We’re seeing it work today.”

Kettavong notes that the waves this week on the lake are relatively small.  The proof, he says, will be when waves pick up in size, later this spring.