Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - April 28, 2023

Based on information received from the Surface Water Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement for the upcoming weekend.

A big, complex, and slow-moving low-pressure system is forecast to enter Ontario late Friday- early Saturday and will stay over the province until Monday, producing substantial amounts of rain all three days. Up to 10mm of precipitation is forecast for Saturday, followed by another 25 - 30 mm of rainfall on Sunday, with the potential for up to 35 – 40 mm of total rainfall over the weekend. 

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – April 28th -  May 3rd

Kawartha Conservation Watershed

DATE: Friday, April 28, 2023
TIME: 11:30 pm       

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 

Based on information received from the Surface Water Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement for the upcoming weekend.

A big, complex, and slow-moving low-pressure system is forecast to enter Ontario late Friday- early Saturday and will stay over the province until Monday, producing substantial amounts of rain all three days. Up to 10mm of precipitation is  forecast for Saturday, followed by another 25 - 30 mm of rainfall on Sunday, with the potential for up to 35 – 40 mm of total rainfall over the weekend. 

Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however water levels and flows in watercourses across the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction will rise, resulting in higher volume and faster flowing water due to the extended period of precipitation.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during extended rain events and  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. Riverbanks can be slippery during rain events, especially with snow and ice already on the ground, children should be warned of the dangerous conditions, and supervised while outside.

Northern tributaries, such as the Burnt 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 Wednesday, May 3rd , 2023.  

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.

Rob Stavinga                                           Nancy Aspden       
Watershed Resources Technician            Acting Manager 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.