Smart Beach Light at Station Beach

Smart Beach is a research and innovation program focused on improving beach safety through data, technology, and public education.

The program brings together municipalities, researchers, and technology partners to:

• Monitor lake and weather conditions in real time
• Predict nearshore waves and currents
• Communicate potential hazards to beach users
• Study how people respond to safety information

The current phase of the program is supported through research funding and partnerships with the University of Waterloo and other Great Lakes communities.

The Smart Beach Light system is a real-time beach condition display that shows current waterfront safety conditions at Station Beach using a simple green, yellow, red indicator system.

It is designed to help beachgoers understand general water conditions before entering the water.

The system uses a combination of real-time environmental data, including wind, wave, and current conditions, which are processed through a predictive model developed in partnership with the University of Waterloo.

That information is translated into a simple colour-coded display on the Beach Warning Light (FlashBoard system) powered by SwimSmart technologies.

• Green – Low Hazard: Conditions are generally calmer, but users should still exercise normal caution.
• Yellow – Medium Hazard: Conditions may include stronger waves, winds, or currents. Extra caution is advised.
• Red – High Hazard: Dangerous conditions. Swimming is not recommended.

Important: Low hazard does not mean no hazard. Conditions can change quickly.

No. Green does not mean “no risk” or “safe conditions.” It means lower hazard conditions relative to other states.

Water conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly.

No. Station Beach is not supervised by lifeguards. All beach users enter the water at their own risk.

Yes. The system is powered by solar energy and is designed to operate throughout the day without relying on the electrical grid.

The Smart Beach Light is active daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from May long weekend to Thanksgiving weekend in October. The light will be off overnight.

No Light = Warning System Not Active

The sign is one tool to help understand general conditions, but it should not replace personal judgment.

Beach users should always assess conditions themselves before entering the water.

The system is part of a broader Smart Beach research and safety initiative aimed at improving public awareness of changing water conditions and reducing preventable water-related incidents.

Beach users are responsible for their own safety at all times. Parents and caregivers are responsible for supervising children.

The system is monitored, but temporary outages may occur. No Light = Warning System Not Active

The system uses real-time data and predictive modelling; however, lake conditions are dynamic and can change rapidly between updates.