Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - February 8

Kawartha Conservation advises that a Special Weather Statement has been issued for the Kawartha Region by Environment Canada for Thursday, February 9, 2023.

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY

Kawartha Conservation Watershed 

DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 2023
TIME: 12:30pm

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 February 9 – February 11.

Kawartha Conservation advises that a Special Weather Statement has been issued for the Kawartha Region by Environment Canada for Thursday, February 9.

A period of freezing rain is possible Thursday morning before transitioning to rain, with freezing rain most likely occurring in areas over higher terrain. Rain will taper to showers by Thursday evening. Gusty southwesterly winds are expected Thursday afternoon into early Thursday evening. The total anticipated rainfall is between 15-25mm with winds gusting to 80 km/h.

On Thursday, the air temperature is anticipated to rise above the freezing mark, allowing for the continuation of snow melt that has occurred through the early part of the week. Temperatures will return to below freezing for the entire region overnight into Friday and Saturday.

Widespread flooding is not anticipated, and water levels and flows in watercourses across the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction are currently normal for early February. Near saturated or frozen ground conditions will increase runoff and elevate water levels in rivers and streams throughout the Kawartha Region, and the breakup of ice could lead to ice jams in the vicinity of culverts and bridges.

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, particularly in areas of moving water, may be unsafe due to the warming temperatures. 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) 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 11, 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
Watershed Resources Technician

Nancy Aspden 
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 streambanks are icy, soft and/or slippery.