KAWARTHA LAKES-A FLOOD WARNING remains in place for the shoreline areas of Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon and Pigeon lakes. There is potential for flooding to occur along shorelines, in near shore areas, and in low-lying areas as a large volume of water passes through the Trent River system according to Kawartha Conservation.
Water levels in the large Kawartha Lakes remain exceptionally high. As reported by the Trent-Severn Waterway officials, all lakes are equally overfilled.
- Balsam and Cameron lakes have demonstrated a slight decrease in their water levels, by 4 cm, since Saturday, April 27th. Trent Severn Waterways has advised us that flow through the Rosedale and Fenelon Falls dams will be reduced today. As a result, lakes are expected to halt their declining trend and remain at the same level for the next 24 hours.
- Water level in Sturgeon Lake has risen another 5 cm since yesterday morning. As inflow from the Cameron Lake is being reduced, it is anticipated that the rate of water level increase will slow down to 1-3 cm during the next 24 hours.
- Pigeon Lake, as part of the Tri-Lakes system, has risen by 3 cm since yesterday morning and is expected to continue increasing at the rate of 1 to 3 cm over the next 24 hours.
Another round of precipitation, up to 35 mm, is forecasted on Wednesday for the region. As a result, the very high inflow from the northern tributaries and very high water levels at the Kawartha Lakes will be sustained.
Lake Scugog has been declining very slowly since Saturday, April 27th.
However, with the predicted rain it is expected to level off .
Trent Severn Waterway’s officials are reassessing the conditions on a daily basis and adjusting the flows through water control structures to relieve pressure in the affected areas.
Under these circumstances, all near shore areas should be considered dangerous. Currents in the vicinity of dams are swift and treacherous, banks wet, slippery and may be undercut. 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.
Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.
Shoreline residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves and their property, to monitor water levels closely, and contact their local municipality should any threat of flooding develop.
This Flood Warning will be in effect until Wednesday, May 1st 2019.
