Subject: FLOOD WARNING UPDATE 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.
This is an update to the FLOOD WARNING that was first issued Saturday April 14. A FLOOD WARNING is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring (for details, see text below).
WEATHER FORECAST — In both the Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton Lakes regions, the forecast is for a total of 10 to 15 millimeters of rain this weekend, with another rain event beginning mid-week, next week.
OUSE RIVER, INDIAN RIVER, and TRIBUTARIES of the KAWARTHA LAKES and OTONABEE RIVER —
Water levels / flows on the Indian River and Ouse continue to rise, and are currently causing nuisance / minor flooding in low-lying areas. The streams and creeks that flow into the Ouse and Indian Rivers, as well as the tributaries to the Otonabee River, are experiencing well above normal levels / flows for this time of year. Also, area wetlands have swelled, and there’s significant pooling & ponding of water in low lying areas with poor drainage. Although significant / major flooding is not expected, conditions will somewhat worsen as a result of the forecast rainfall.
KAWARTHA LAKES, OTONABEE RIVER, and RICE LAKE – In the past 3 days, 35 millimeters of rain was received across the Haliburton Lakes region. This rainfall combined with above zero air temperatures means that the snowpack in the Haliburton Lakes region has stopped being able to absorb water, and instead, has now begun releasing water, and the weather forecast means that the snowpack will continue to release water. This water release is causing, and will continue to cause, a significant rise in the rivers, streams and creeks that flow into the Kawartha Lakes from the Haliburton Lakes region. As a result, all of the Kawartha Lakes, in the geographical jurisdiction of the ORCA, are rising, and will continue to rise during the weekend and throughout next week. The Otonabee River will see a 35 cubic meters per second increase, today (Friday April 27th), thereby bringing the water level up to about 188.60 meters above sea level in the area of the Otonabee River at end of Matchett Line in Otonabee-South Monaghan. Additional increases to the Otonabee River water level /flow are expected to occur during the weekend and throughout next week. Water levels on Rice Lake will rise in accordance increased water levels / flows on the Otonabee River.
PREPARATION and CAUTION URGED: ORCA advises area residents in flood vulnerable areas to prepare themselves and their properties for further flooding, and also reminds all area residents to keep away from all waterbodies / watercourses, conveyance structures (e.g., dams, culverts and bridges), and to stay clear of anywhere that water can be seen to be accumulating and ponding.
The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) continues its monitoring of current conditions and forecasts. This FLOOD WARNING will next be updated no later than 3:00 pm MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2018.
Flood Watch Hotline: Ph.:705-745-5791, ext.228