Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - January 9, 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 Tuesday, January 9th - 14th.

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY 
Kawartha Conservation Watershed
DATE: Tuesday Jan 9, 2024
TIME: 2:00 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 Tuesday, January 9th - 14th.

A series of low-pressure systems is crossing the province over the next several days (Tuesday to Sunday). The first system entered the province on Tuesday morning followed by the second on Friday. 12 to 16 cm of snow combined with around 10 mm of rain are expected on Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Snow may be heavy at times with a risk of freezing rain. The snow is expected to change to rain Tuesday evening, January 9 as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.

Currently flows and water levels are mostly near or below average and declining for this time of the year. The forecasted rain and snowmelt, in areas that have snow from recent snow events, could produce localized runoff and elevate water levels. As such, some areas may experience an increased risk of overland flow. Flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage is also possible within the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction. Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however water levels and flows in watercourses across the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction will rise over the next few days, resulting in higher volume and faster flowing water due to the extended period of precipitation.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during extended rain and snow events and riverbanks are slippery at this time of year, 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. There have not been sufficient cold temperatures in the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction to freeze lakes and rivers and all ice conditions should also be considered unsafe. 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 Sunday January 14th, 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.