Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - August 9

Currently watershed conditions are normal for the Kawartha Conservation watershed. 

Rivers and streams across the Kawartha Conservation watershed are currently flowing at lower-than-normal water levels and water levels in the large Kawartha Lakes are at average levels for this time of year throughout the Trent Severn Waterway. 

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT - WATER SAFETY

DATE: August 9, 2021

TIME: 2:00 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 

A WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – Currently watershed conditions are normal for the Kawartha Conservation watershed. 

Rivers and streams across the Kawartha Conservation watershed are currently flowing at lower-than-normal water levels and water levels in the large Kawartha Lakes are at average levels for this time of year throughout the Trent Severn Waterway. 

Precipitation, up to 20 mm, is forecasted for the Kawartha region starting on Tuesday August 10th through to Thursday August 12th. The high temperatures and humidity increase the chance of thunderstorms, with wind speeds up gusting up to 50km/h forecast for Tuesday afternoon. As a result, rainfall and storm conditions are expected to arrive abruptly, with a large amount of water falling over a short period of time. Residents should be prepared for the potential localized downpours, and boaters should continuously monitor the weather and be prepared for storm conditions. Water levels and flows in watercourses across the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction are expected to rise, and flows to increase suddenly during and shortly after thunderstorms. 

No flooding problems within and around local rivers and streams are anticipated at this time, however, all watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during and after a large rain event. Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay a safe distance from all water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Riverbanks can be slippery and muddy during rain events and children should be warned of 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) at https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program .

Additional information from the TSW is available at the Water Management InfoNet web page https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet.

This Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety will be in effect through August 12, 2021.  

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                                                      Emma Collyer       

Watershed Resources Technician                    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.