Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety  - March 19, 2025

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY
Kawartha Conservation Watershed
DATE:   March 19, 2025
TIME:   3:00 pm         

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

Kawartha Conservation is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety, effective Wednesday, March 19, 2025, through to 12 noon on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Following the recent weather conditions and rainfall over the past weekend, water levels in local streams and rivers remain elevated. Above-seasonal temperatures are forecasted to persist in the coming days before dropping over the weekend. Additionally, a small rainfall event is expected to begin tonight and continue through tomorrow evening.

The ongoing snowmelt is further contributing to increased runoff, leading to rising water levels in these waterways. The Kawartha Lakes will continue to see a slow rise in water levels as snow melt and potential rain events continue to contribute the influx of runoff entering our Lakes. Ice covered lakes will continue to breakup and will becomes increasingly unstable during this time.

While widespread flooding is not expected, localized flooding may occur in low-lying areas in our watershed. Kawartha Conservation advises that all watercourses are considered dangerous at this time and should be avoided. Children and pets should be supervised while outside and are advised to stay away from all watercourses.

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.

This statement will remain in effect until 12 noon on Friday, March 21, or will be updated or removed as required. Kawartha Conservation will continue to monitor water conditions and provide updates as necessary.

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

Nathan Rajevski
Watershed Resource Technician

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.