Flood Watch issued March 18, 2020

Posted on

Message # 2020-14 

Issued:  3:45 p.m., Wednesday March 18, 2020

Subject: FLOOD WATCH issued for all watercourses / waterbodies in the Region of Otonabee Conservation.

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, residents and businesses that flood conditions are a possibility.

Weather Forecast – A weather system moving into our Region will bring rain and warm temperatures for Thursday and Friday.  The forecasted rainfall amount for the 2 days will be 20 to 30mm.  Also there is potential for higher amounts due to thunderstorms.

Current Watershed Conditions and Risk – Over the past couple of weeks, our Region has been experiencing warmer average daily air temperatures and small rainfall events.  This has resulted in a depletion of the snow pack, saturated soils, ponding water in low lying areas (wetlands, fields) and an increase in water flows within ditches, streams and creeks.

Due to the amount of run-off from rainfall / snowmelt, combined with frozen/saturated ground conditions, there is a potential for nuisance or minor flooding in some of the watershed’s low-lying areas.  As a minimum, the expected snowmelt / rainfall run-off will result in accumulations and ponding of water where there is poor drainage.  This could lead to inundation of roads and pathways in low-lying areas, and higher than normal water levels and flows in area rivers, streams, creeks.

Any remaining ice cover on area rivers, streams and creeks may breakup as a result of the warm temperatures and higher flows. This may increase the risk of ice jams and associated overbank flooding.

With this message, the Otonabee Conservation advises area residents to:

  1. Have a watchful eye for possible flooding;
  2. Keep away from all waterbodies / watercourses, conveyance structures (e.g., dams, culverts and bridges); and,
  3. Stay clear of anywhere that water can be seen to be accumulating and ponding.

This FLOOD WATCH message will be in effect until (or updated before) Monday, March 23rd, 2020.

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