Expired | Flood Watch | April 4, 2023 – Otonabee Region Conservation Authority

This flood watch is no longer active.

Message # 2023-12

Issued: 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Subject: FLOOD WATCH Update – issued for all area waterbodies and 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

The waterways within Otonabee Conservation’s jurisdiction and the headwaters of the Trent-Severn Waterway (Reservoir Lakes/Haliburton Lakes region) will experience warm air temperatures and the potential for a thunderstorm with periods of rain totalling 25 to 35 millimeters (mm) starting overnight of Tuesday, April 4^th and continuing through Wednesday, April 5^th.

Flood Risk for Local Watercourses

The remaining snow and ice within the watershed is expected to convert to snowmelt run-off. Melting snow/ice combined with the forecasted rainfall and saturated ground conditions, will cause possible flooding along local watercourses.

Flood Risk for Trent-Severn Waterway

Snowmelt run-off from the above-normal snowpack in the headwaters of the Trent-Severn Waterway will combine with rainfall run-off to significantly accelerate inflows to the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake, and Trent River. As of today, Tuesday April 4th, flows on the Otonabee River currently measure 240 cubic meters per second (cms). Water levels and flows on the Otonabee River have the potential to rise once the storage capacity of the Kawartha Lakes is exceeded. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Otonabee River is expected. Also, with the influx of water entering the Kawartha Lakes, water levels will begin to rise, breaking the ice cover resulting in a risk of ice movement and ice jamming causing flooding. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Kawartha Lakes shoreline is expected.

Otonabee Conservation advises area municipalities to prepare for swelling of rivers, streams, creeks, and wetlands with possibility of waters inundating adjacent properties and roads. Shoreline residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to take action to limit or prevent damages due to potential flooding. Residents and visitors 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:

This FLOOD WATCH message will expire Monday, April 10th, 2023, unless up-dated 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