Message #2019-21
Issued: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday October 30, 2019
Subject: WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY issued for all watercourses / waterbodies in the geographical jurisdiction of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA).
Issued to: Municipalities of Selwyn (SEL), Douro-Dummer (DD), Asphodel-Norwood (AN), Otonabee-South Monaghan (OSM), Cavan Monaghan (CM), City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL), City of Peterborough (CP) and Trent Hills (TH), as well as ORCA’s other partners in flood emergency management.
A WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY is issued due to the combination of slippery / unstable banks, high water levels / flows and cold water temperatures creating dangerous conditions on and around area watercourses / waterbodies (for details, see text below).
The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) advises that starting this afternoon and continuing over the next 3 days, a large and very slow moving low pressure system (and associated fronts) will move across southern Ontario bringing the local region total 3-day rainfall accumulations in the 30-50 millimeter (mm) range.
Area watercourses are currently flowing at near or above seasonal levels, and soils are wet from recent precipitation. The forecasted rainfall will result in elevated flows in all waterbodies / watercourses over the next few days, however no flooding of lakes, rivers, streams and creeks is anticipated.
The estimated rainfall over 3 days will result in elevated water levels and flows in all lakes, rivers, streams and creeks. As a result, local waterbodies / watercourses will become more dangerous than normal, especially in the vicinity of water conveyance structures such as dams, culverts and bridges. Water accumulation and ponding on roads, intersections and low lying areas is possible.
The ORCA hereby advises area residents to keep away from all waterbodies / watercourses and water conveyance structures (e.g., dams, culverts and bridges), to stay clear of areas where water can be seen to be accumulating and ponding
The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor current conditions and issue updates as required. This WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY message will be in effect through Saturday November 2, 2019.
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Neil MacFarlane | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 231
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com | Flood Watch Hotline 705-745-5791 x 228