Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - February 15

The Provincial Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC) is tracking a significant weather system that is expected to pass through our jurisdiction over the next few days. Precipitation, up to 15 mm of rainfall followed by 15 cm of snow, is forecasted for the Kawartha region starting on the evening of Wednesday February 15, 2022, through to Friday February 17th, 2022.

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY –

Kawartha Conservation watershed 

DATE: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

TIME: 3:00pm

Message sent based on information received from:

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

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

The Provincial Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC) is tracking a significant weather system that is expected to pass through our jurisdiction over the next few days. Precipitation, up to 15 mm of rainfall followed by 15 cm of snow, is forecasted for the Kawartha region starting on the evening of Wednesday, February 15, 2022, through to Friday, February 17th, 2022. Temperatures are expected to rise to +7 Celsius by Wednesday, adding snowmelt to the expected rainfall. Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however water levels and flows in watercourses across the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction are expected to rise and flows to increase suddenly during this 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 ice conditions may quickly change and become unsafe in some areas. Riverbanks can be slippery 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 Saturday, February 19th, 2022.

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