EXPIRED | Flood Watch Issued – August 3, 2023 – Otonabee Region Conservation Authority

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Message # 2023-21

Issued: 3:30 p.m., Thursday, August 03, 2023

Subject: FLOOD WATCH – Issued for all watercourses and waterbodies within Otonabee Conservation’s geographical jurisdiction except the Kawartha Lakes, lower Otonabee River, and Rice Lake.

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 localized flooding is possible.

Weather Threat: This afternoon and evening there will be rain of 5 to 15 millimeters combined with a risk for moderate intensity thunderstorms developing over our Region. Moderate intensity thunderstorms are characterized by rapidly falling/heavy rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 millimeters that can cause localized flooding. Friday will see a minor risk of minor intensity thunderstorms. Saturday’s skies will be clear. Beginning Sunday and continuing throughout Monday widespread rainfall is expected, totalling 30 to 35 millimeters. On Sunday/Monday, there is also a risk of thunderstorms.

Flood Risk: July rainfall to the Region ranged from 43% to 107% above normal, causing local river, stream, and creek flows/levels to be high. As a result, areas directly hit by thunderstorms may experience localized flooding and ponding.

Large lakes and long stretches of river along the Trent Severn Waterway (i.e., Kawartha Lakes, the lower Otonabee River below Lock #19/Peterborough, Rice Lake, and Trent River to Hastings) can absorb localized rainfall and thunderstorm events without flooding. However, smaller rivers, streams and creeks in the Region, including the upper Otonabee River, will experience a rapid increase in water levels, and possibly localized flooding, if they are directly hit by thunderstorms. Widespread flooding is not expected. However, high water levels/flows will persist on all watercourses/waterbodies throughout the long weekend.

Otonabee Conservation is advising everyone to be weather aware because existing high-water levels/flows creates hazardous conditions that when combined with rapidly falling/heavy rainfall may become dangerous.

Water levels can be monitored on-line at:

This FLOOD WATCH will expire Tuesday, August 08th, 2023, unless updated earlier.