EXPIRED | Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Issued July 26, 2023

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Message #2023-20

Issued: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 26, 2023

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY issued for all area waterbodies and watercourses.

ISSUED TO: Municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, Trent Hills, City of Peterborough, and City of Kawartha Lakes, as well as Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management.

This WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY is issued because expected rainfall events over the next 5 days will cause periods of higher-than-normal water flows/levels that can be dangerous. Flooding is not expected.

Weather Forecast: Starting near midnight tonight (Wednesday, July 26th) and continuing through to early Thursday afternoon, a low-pressure system will bring rain to our Region.  Meteorological models are forecasting rainfall receipts totalling as low as 15 millimeters (mm) and as much as 35 mm. This will be followed by a second weather disturbance on Friday/Saturday that is forecast to deliver an additional 15-25 millimeters of rain.

Watershed Conditions: So far this month, the total rainfall amount received at Peterborough Municipal Airport and Trent University is 108.6 millimeters and 92.8 mm, respectively, which is significantly more than normal for the month. As a result, average water flows and levels on area lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks are also higher than normal.  Forecasted rainfall events during the last week of July will cause local water levels/flows to further increase, but there is no risk of flooding. High water levels/flows can translate to unsafe conditions.

Area residents and visitors are strongly advised to be weather aware, especially when they are on or near area waterbodies and watercourses. Caregivers are reminded that children and pets should not be allowed to approach the edge of waterbodies/watercourses unaccompanied. Dams and culverts should always be avoided because water passing through these water control/conveyance structures can be an extremely powerful force that should never be underestimated. Boaters are reminded that wakes cause shoreline damage, especially when water levels are high.  

Area water information can be monitored on-line at:

  1. Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet
  2. Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data 
  3. Otonabee Conservation Precipitation and Water Level Data

This WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT-WATER SAFETY is effective immediately and will remain in effect until Monday, July 31, 2023, unless updated earlier.