This flood message is no longer active.
Message # 2023-16
Issued: 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 28, 2023
Subject: FLOOD WATCH – issued for Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) (i.e., Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River to Hastings) and all Local Watercourses
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 is issued to alert municipalities and residents that floods are possible.
Weather: A low-pressure weather system will bring rain to the headwaters of the Kawartha Lakes (Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes region) and the area of the TSW under Otonabee Conservation’s jurisdiction. 50-60 millimeters (mm) of rainfall is expected to fall between the evening of Friday, April 28th and the morning of Monday, May 1st. Also of concern is the possibility of another significant rainfall event following closely on the heels of this weekend’s rainfall event.
Flood Risk for Local Watercourses: The forecasted rainfall will generate saturated ground conditions resulting in direct surface runoff into low-lying areas, wetlands, ditches, and all local watercourses. Swelling rivers, streams, and creeks may result in flooding. Therefore, Otonabee Conservation advises that residents and businesses located in flood-prone areas be vigilant.
Flood Risk for Trent-Severn Waterway: 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 rates and water levels in the Kawartha Lakes are stable. However, 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 water levels/flows will increase. Therefore, Otonabee Conservation advises that residents and businesses located on the shores of the TSW, and who have been impacted by high water/ high flow conditions in the past, take any necessary action to protect/secure vulnerable property in proximity to lakes and rivers and closely monitor developing conditions. In addition, Otonabee Conservation advises residents and visitors to be extremely cautious if travelling on area lakes and rivers. Boat traffic during high water conditions can cause damage to shorelines and to shoreline property with vessel wakes.
All residents and visitors to the Otonabee Region watershed are advised not to drive, cycle, or walk through flooded areas and to obey all road/traffic closures. 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:
1) Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet
2) Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data
3) Otonabee Region Conservation Authority website
This FLOOD WATCH will expire Thursday, May 4th, 2023, unless updated earlier.
For more information:
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