Expired | Flood Watch | March 29, 2023 – Otonabee Region Conservation Authority

This Flood Watch is no longer active.

Message # 2023-11

Issued: 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Subject: FLOOD WATCH – 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 periods of rain or snow totalling 25 to 35 millimeters (mm) starting Friday March 31^st and continuing through Saturday, April 01^st. There will be a short-lived weather break on Sunday.

Flood Risk for Local Watercourses

The remaining snow and ice within Otonabee Conservation’s jurisdiction is expected to convert to snowmelt run-off. Melting snow/ice will combine with the forecasted 25 to 35 millimeters of precipitation to 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. By Friday, flows on the Otonabee River will measure 200 cubic meters per second (cms). Shortly thereafter the Otonabee River will reach average spring flows of 300 cms. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Otonabee River is expected, starting with localized nuisance level flooding as flows near 300 cms, becoming increasingly more severe and widespread as flows increase above 300 cms. Also, because of rising water levels and strong winds, the ice cover on the Kawartha Lakes is expected to detach from the shoreline resulting in a risk of ice movement causing shore damage and a risk of ice jamming causing flooding.

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 Thursday, April 5th, 2023, unless up-dated earlier.

For more information:
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