Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - December 21

Environment Canada is tracking a significant winter storm that is expected to pass through the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction over the next few days. Precipitation, up to 15mm of rainfall followed by 20 - 25cm of snow, is forecasted for the Kawartha region starting on Thursday, December 22, 2022, through to Saturday, December 24, 2022.

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY 

Kawartha Conservation Watershed 

DATE: December 21, 2022 

TIME: 11:00 am 

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

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – in effect from December 22 to December 24.

Currently, watershed conditions are normal for the Kawartha Conservation watershed. 

Environment Canada is tracking a significant winter storm that is expected to pass through the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction over the next few days. Precipitation, up to 15mm of rainfall followed by 20 - 25cm of snow, is forecasted for the Kawartha region starting on Thursday, December 22, 2022, through to Saturday, December 24, 2022. Temperatures are expected to rise to +5 Celsius on Thursday, adding snowmelt to the expected rainfall. Friday will bring a cold front with temperatures dropping rapidly, leading to the potential for a flash freeze, followed by high winds gusting to over 50km/h. Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however water levels and flows in watercourses across the Kawartha Conservation watershed are expected to rise, with flows to increase rapidly during and after the rainfall period.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous at this time of year 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, and that lake ice conditions are unsafe in many areas. Riverbanks can be slippery during rain events, especially with snow and ice already on the ground, and children should be warned of the dangerous conditions and supervised while outside.

Northern tributaries, such as 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) at https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.

Additional information from the TSW is available on 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 Saturday, December 24, 2022.

Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring local watercourses and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction of any changes. Kawartha Conservation is 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.