Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety January 10-14, 2025

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY 

Kawartha Conservation Watershed
DATE:    January 10, 2025
TIME:   3:00 pm

Message sent based on information received from:

• Tent-Severn Waterway

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – January 10–14, 2025

Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety, effective Friday, January 10, 2025, through the end of the day Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is actively managing water levels throughout the system to mitigate issues related to frazzle ice and potential flooding along the Otonabee River. As a result, ice conditions in lakes, rivers, and other water bodies may be unstable due to increased water flow beneath the ice. Additionally, fluctuating temperatures and snowmelt are contributing to elevated water levels and flow rates in the Kawartha Lakes system.

While widespread flooding is not expected, slippery and unstable riverbanks, as well as areas with moving water, pose significant safety risks. For winter outdoor enthusiasts, it’s important to recognize that conditions on ice-covered areas may be unsafe or unstable. Please exercise caution and assess risks carefully before engaging in recreational activities. Ensure children and pets are kept away from waterways, and take the time to discuss these hazards to prioritize everyone’s safety.

Residents in the northern tributary areas, including the Burnt and Gull Rivers, are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Natural Resources Minden office at 705-286-1521 or consult their flood forecasting updates at Ontario Flood Forecasting. 

Further updates from the Trent-Severn Waterway can be found on the Water Management InfoNet.

This statement will remain in effect until the end of Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Kawartha Conservation will continue to monitor water conditions and provide updates as necessary in coordination with partner agencies, including the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and neighbouring Conservation Authorities.

If you have concerns about flooding, please contact Kawartha Conservation at 705.328.2271 or 705.344.0155 after hours.

Yan Shao
Water Resources Engineer

Nancy Aspden
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.