Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - July 9, 2024

Based on information received from Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Ministry of Natural Resources - Surface Water Monitoring Centre, Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement starting today July 9th and remaining in effect until Friday July 12th.  

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY 
Kawartha Conservation Watershed
DATE: Tuesday July 9, 2024
TIME: 10:00 am

Message sent based on information received from:

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

 

Based on information received from Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Ministry of Natural Resources - Surface Water Monitoring Centre, Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement starting today July 9th and remaining in effect until Friday July 12th.  

 

The remnants of Hurricane Beryl are expected to reach southern Ontario on Wednesday, bringing significant precipitation into the southern portion of the province. Heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms are forecasted in the next couple of days across the Kawartha watershed, which likely will cause localized floodings in some areas. Light rain will begin this afternoon with a risk of thunderstorms. It will develop to heavy downpours or thunderstorms in Wednesday morning and may persist to Friday morning depending on the weather pattern development. Approximately 35-45 mm of rain is expected Wednesday through Thursday, with a chance of more precipitation during heavy thunderstorms. Some areas may experience higher rainfall rates than others due to localized downpours.

Currently, flows and water levels, across the Kawartha Conservation watershed, are back to the normal seasonal range. The forecasted rainfalls will likely result in higher water levels and flows in creeks, rivers, streams, and lakes over the weekend. Widespread flooding is not anticipated. However heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling. In addition, fast flowing water and flooding in low-lying areas, natural floodplains, and areas with poor drainage is possible within the Kawartha Conservation jurisdiction.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during extensive heavy rain. Riverbanks are to be saturated and slippery and 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 River and Gull River are monitored by staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Residents along these two rivers are requested to direct any questions concerning water levels to the Minden Area office at 705-286-1521 or refer to the messages issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

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 Friday July 12th, 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 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
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.