Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - April 18, 2024

According to the latest information received from Environment Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Surface Water Monitoring Centre, and Trent-Severn Waterway, Kawartha Conservation is updating our current Watershed Conditions Statement for the coming days, April 18th – 20th.

Message sent based on information received from:

• Kawartha Conservation Flood Forecasting Network
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Surface Water Monitoring Centre 
• Environment Canada
• Trent-Severn Waterway 

According to the latest information received from Environment Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Surface Water Monitoring Centre, and Trent-Severn Waterway, Kawartha Conservation is updating our current Watershed Conditions Statement for the coming days, April 18th – 20th.

Over the past 7 days, Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction has received 45-80 mm of rain at various monitoring stations across our watershed causing water levels on local lakes and rivers to rise.  Over the next 24 hours, we are expected to receive an additional 5-10mm of rain.  Although, at this time, both water levels and flows have stabilized, we do anticipate with this additional rain, that we will see a slight rise in water levels and that they will remain elevated over the course of the weekend. 

Water flows and levels on rivers and lakes within our jurisdiction experience rising and stabilizing stages and may continue to increase as a result of forecasted rainfall. In general, they are still within normal standards for this time of the year. Widespread flooding is not anticipated. However fast flowing water and flooding in low-lying areas, natural floodplains, and areas with poor drainage is possible within the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during extensive rain. Riverbanks are saturated and slippery and areas with moving water may be unsafe. Therefore, Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay a safe distance from all streams and rivers, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Children should be warned of the dangerous conditions and supervised while outside.

Northern tributaries, such as the Burnt River and Gull River are monitored by staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Residents along these two rivers are requested to direct any questions concerning water levels to the MNRF Minden Area office at 705-286-5207 or refer to the messages issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).

Additional information from the TSW is available at the Water Management InfoNet web page. 

This Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety will be in effect through Sunday, April 20th, 2024.  

Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring local watercourses and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction of any changes. We are in close communication with partner agencies such as the Trent Severn Waterway, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and neighbouring Conservation Authorities during all flood situations.

If you are aware of or have concerns about flooding, please contact Kawartha Conservation at 705.328.2271 or 705.344.0155 after hours.

Yan Shao
Water Resources Engineer

Nancy Aspden
Acting Director, Integrated Watershed Management

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is a general notice that existing or potential conditions pose a risk to personal safety.  Watershed Conditions Statements - Water Safety may be issued when streams are flowing at or near bank full levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft and/or slippery.