Otonabee Conservation has issued a Flood Warning for the entire watershed region.
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or is occurring.
Total amounts of rainfall received from Friday (April 13) through to early Saturday (April 14) ranged from 28 mm to 35 mm. As a result, water levels and flows in local rivers and streams increased, some to near bankfull conditions. In addition, Saturday’s forecast is for the freezing rain, ice pellets and snow to continue this afternoon and overnight. As temperatures rise through the day on Sunday (April 15) the freezing rain will change to rain with forecasted amounts of 40 mm to 50 mm. The rain will continue Monday with an additional 10 mm to 20 mm.
Ouse River, Indian River, and tributaries of the Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Throughout the watershed region, the ground is saturated, and incapable of absorbing additional rainfall. As a result, the forecasted rainfall of 50 mm to 70 mm fro Sunday (April 15) and Monday (April 16) is expected to cause significant pooling/ponding of water in low-lying areas where there is poor drainage. In addition, local rivers (Ouse River, Indian River), streams and creeks (Squirrel, Baxter, Cavan, Jackson, Meade, Rays, etc.) which are already flowing at rates well-above normal, will continue to experience very high flows, and may even exceed their banks.
Hence, area businesses and residents located in historical flood vulnerable areas are advised to prepare for localized minor flooding caused by forecasted rainfall, saturated/frozen ground and poor drainage conditions.
Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River (to Hastings)
As a result of rains received earlier in the week, inflows to the Kawartha Lakes from areas to the north have dramatically increased. Accordingly, outflows from the Kawartha Lakes through the Otonabee River have also increased from 180 cubic meters per second (cms) seen just a few days ago to today’s flows of 250 cms. In turn, this is causing a rise in Rice Lake and Trent River water levels/flows as well. Given the forecast for additional significant rains on Sunday (April 15) and Monday (April 16), inflows to the Kawartha Lakes are expected to continue increasing throughout the coming days. Likewise, flows/levels on the Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River will also increase.
Hence, residents living in historical flood vulnerable areas on the shores of the Kawartha Lakes, the Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River (to Hastings) are advised to prepare for localized flooding that is expected to occur in the coming days as water levels/flows along the Trent-Severn Waterway continue to increase.
Otonabee Conservation will continue to monitor current conditions and issue updates as required. This Flood Warning will be updated no later than 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 16, 2018.