Disclaimer & Terms

Observations, estimates & forecasts

Reports can be delayed, missing, stale, incorrect, or interrupted. Check observation times and ages: a page refresh is not a new observation. A last reported value marked Stale is not current data. Buoy retrieval, equipment failures, and communication outages can limit coverage.

Nearby readings do not necessarily describe conditions at your position. Chagrin’s estimated wave height averages Euclid Beach and Mentor Harbor reports; its info control explains the method. A nearby backup is identified by its actual source. Forecast wave height is modeled guidance, not a live buoy measurement.

Forecasts and automated guidance are uncertain and may miss rapidly developing hazards. Significant wave height is a statistical measure, not a maximum: individual waves can be larger. River gage height is not navigable depth. No displayed value, outlook, or absence of an alert guarantees safe conditions.

Third-party sources & independent operation

Lake Erie Watch is independently operated and is not an official NOAA, NWS, USCG, USGS, or other government service. Source names and links identify data providers; they do not imply affiliation, approval, or endorsement.

The site uses NOAA/NDBC observations, NWS forecasts and alerts, Open-Meteo weather and marine models, USGS river data, OpenStreetMap geography, and third-party cameras. Providers control their own availability, accuracy, terms, and privacy practices. Camera imagery may be delayed and does not establish wave height or safe passage.

Illustrative scenes

The rendered lake is not a live camera, surveyed terrain, chart, or navigation model. Waves, buoy movement, vegetation, buildings, lights, vessels, wildlife, and sounds are approximate visual effects—not observations of those objects or their operating status. Geographic placement does not make the scene suitable for navigation. The Chagrin viewpoint is an illustrative position half a mile offshore from the river mouth, not a physical buoy location.

When simulation settings are active, the scene is labeled Simulation—not live. Selected settings may override its visual inputs without changing other dashboard readings. Outside simulation mode, the scene can still use labeled stale observations or forecast guidance.

Your decisions

Verify official forecasts, warnings, charts, navigation notices, and conditions before and during a trip. Use your judgment, local knowledge, suitable equipment, and the limits of your vessel and crew. Do not rely on this site as your sole source for safety-critical decisions or emergencies.

• NWS marine forecasts and warnings
• NOAA/NDBC buoy observations
• USCG Navigation Center

Warranty limitations

The site and its information are provided “as is” and “as available.” To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lake Erie Watch and its operator disclaim express and implied warranties, including accuracy, completeness, timeliness, uninterrupted availability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. No assurance is made that the site will be free of errors or that defects will be corrected. Non-excludable rights remain unaffected.

Liability limitations

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lake Erie Watch and its operator are not liable for losses arising from reliance on the site, inaccurate or unavailable information, third-party services, or interruptions, including indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses. You remain responsible for your boating and navigation decisions and for independently verifying information before relying on it.

These limitations do not exclude or restrict liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including any applicable protections concerning personal injury, fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct. Applicable statutory and consumer rights remain unaffected. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions apply to the extent permitted by law.