Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - January 23, 2024

Based on information received from Environment Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Surface Water Monitoring Centre and Trent-Severn Waterway, Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement for the coming days, January 23rd - 28th.

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY 
Kawartha Conservation Watershed
DATE: Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
TIME: 12:30 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 

Based on information received from Environment Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Surface Water Monitoring Centre and Trent-Severn Waterway, Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement for the coming days, January 23rd - 28th.

A spring-like warm-up is headed to Ontario in the middle of this week (Wednesday to Sunday). Snow will begin on Tuesday afternoon with a risk of freezing drizzle overnight. A mix of snow, ice pellets and/or freezing rain is expected to change to rain tomorrow as temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Some areas in the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction may receive 5-10 cm of snowfall, followed by up to 20 mm of rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.

Currently flows and water levels are within the seasonal range. The forecasted rain and snowmelt, combined with accumulated snow, will produce localized runoff and elevated water levels. Flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage is also possible within the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction, however widespread flooding is not anticipated at this time.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during extended rain and snow events. At this time of year riverbanks can be very slippery and ice conditions on lakes and rivers, especially in areas with moving water may be unsafe. Therefore, 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. 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).

Additional information from the TSW is available at the Water Management InfoNet web page.

This Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety will be in effect through Sunday January 28th, 2024.  

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.

Yan Shao                                                                                 Nancy Aspden
Water Resources Engineer                                                      Acting 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.