Message # 2020-08
Issued: 11:00 a.m., Friday January 24, 2020
Subject: FLOOD WATCH issued for Otonabee River.
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.
The FLOOD WARNING that was first issued for the Otonabee River on Sunday, January 19th, is down-graded to a FLOOD WATCH. A FLOOD WATCH is issued to alert municipalities, residents and businesses that flood conditions are a possibility.
Water levels on the Otonabee River below Lock #19 (Lansdowne Street) have dropped significantly as a result of recent milder air temperatures and reduced water flows. The peak water level occurred on the early afternoon of Tuesday, January 21st. Since, water levels have decreased by about 0.7 meters, and are continuing to drop. However, water levels are still about 0.3 meters above their pre-event levels.
Now that water levels on the Otonabee River have significantly improved, the Trent-Severn Waterway will resume spilling excess water from the Kawartha Lakes downstream through the Otonabee River. Flow increases will be gradual; 10 cubic meters per second (cms) today, Friday January 24th, and another 10 cms on Saturday or Sunday.
Despite significantly improved conditions on the Otonabee River, residents and business in low-lying areas along the shores of the Otonabee River are strongly encouraged to keep a watchful eye as the Trent-Severn Waterway slowly increases the flow of water on the Otonabee River.
To obtain information regarding water levels and operations along the Trent-Severn Waterway, please refer to the Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet available at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/niveau-eau-water-levels. Also, water level and flow data for the Ouse, Indian and Otonabee River watersheds can be viewed on-line via the Water Survey of Canada website available at: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/search/real_time_e.html
All residents should keep SAFE by Staying Away From the Edge of all area waterbodies and watercourses.
Otonabee Conservation staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the weekend.
This FLOOD WATCH will remain in effect until, or be updated before, MONDAY, January 27, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
-30-
Gord 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