Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - September 21

 

Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for part of southern Ontario that includes the Kawartha Conservation watershed. Significant rainfall is forecast for the next 48 hours as a slow-moving system passes through the region today and tomorrow. Between 40 to 60 mm of rain can be expected before Thursday, and isolated thunderstorms could contribute an additional 10 – 25 mm each day where they develop.

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT - WATER SAFETY

 

DATE:                   Sep 21, 2021
TIME:                   1:30 pm

Message sent on the basis of information received from:

• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry – Surface Water Monitoring Centre
• Kawartha Conservation watershed monitoring network

Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for part of southern Ontario that includes the Kawartha Conservation watershed. Significant rainfall is forecast for the next 48 hours as a slow-moving system passes through the region today and tomorrow. Between 40 to 60 mm of rain can be expected before Thursday, and isolated thunderstorms could contribute an additional 10 – 25 mm each day where they develop.

Following the passage of the system, unsettled weather is expected to continue into Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, potentially bringing an accumulative 5-day total rainfall of up to 70 mm for the watershed area.

The local rivers and streams are currently flowing at summer low water levels and flow. However, streams’ levels and velocities will increase substantially in response to the rain forecast. No riverine flooding is expected at this time, but water accumulation in low-lying areas, areas with poor drainage, road ditches, and large impervious areas in urban settings, such as parking lots, can be expected.

Under these circumstances, Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay a safe distance from all water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Local rivers and streams will be flowing higher and faster than usual; riverbanks can be slippery and muddy during and right after the rain events. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions, and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.

This Watershed Conditions Statement-Water Safety will be in effect through Friday, Sep 24th, 2021. Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring local rivers and lakes and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction should any significant change occur.

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

Iryna Shulyarenko                                           Emma Collyer       
Hydrologist                                                      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 bankfull levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft, and/or slippery.