EXPIRED | Flood Watch Update | April 21, 2023 – Otonabee Region Conservation Authority

This flood message is no longer active.

Message # 2023-15

Issued: 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 21, 2023

Subject: FLOOD WATCH Update – issued for Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) (i.e., Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River to Hastings)

Issued to: Municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills, and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management.

This FLOOD WATCH Update is issued to alert municipalities and residents that floods are possible.

Weather

A low-pressure weather system will bring rain to both the headwaters of the Kawartha Lakes (Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes region) and the area of the TSW under Otonabee Conservation’s jurisdiction. Rainfall of 20-30 millimeters (mm) is expected to fall between the evening of Friday, April 21^st and the evening/overnight of Saturday, April 24^th. There is a small possibility that up to 50 mm may fall across the northern portions of the Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes region (TSW headwaters region). On Sunday, the low-pressure system will leave the region. Next week, overcast conditions will dominate but no significant precipitation is in the forecast.

Flood Risk for Trent-Severn Waterway

All of the snowpack and lake ice has melted in both Kawartha Lakes headwaters and the Otonabee Region watershed. Water levels in the Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes and the Kawartha Lakes are approaching their respective full levels due to the past several weeks of sustained snow melt/ice melt/rainfall runoff. At present, Otonabee River flows are below average spring flows and water levels in the Kawartha Lakes are stable/flattened.

In response to the rainfall run-off accompanying this weekend’s low-pressure system, the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake, and Trent River to Hastings are expected to slowly rise but not significantly. However, if the headwaters of the TSW do receive upwards of 50 mm of rainfall, then run-off will increase causing water levels/flows on the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River to increase more than anticipated and rapidly. Therefore, Otonabee Conservation advises residents and businesses located in flood-prone areas on the shores of the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River to remain vigilant.

All residents and visitors to the Otonabee Region watershed are advised that water levels/flows in the region remain high and water temperatures are still cold. Adults, parents, and caregivers are advised to keep themselves, children, and pets away from all waterways and conveyance structures (i.e., dams, culverts, and bridges).

Water levels can be monitored on-line at:

This FLOOD WATCH Update will expire Thursday, April 27th, 2023, unless updated earlier.

For more information:
Gordon Earle | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 214
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com | Flood Watch Hotline 705-745-5791 x 228