KAWARTHA LAKES-A Flood Watch is now in effect for the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction from April 4 through April 10.
Officials say no widespread flooding is expected; however, flooding in low-lying areas, areas adjacent to streams and road ditches may occur. Smaller watercourses may reach or overtop their banks. Ponding of water on urban surfaces may occur as storm sewer systems can become overwhelmed by high runoff.
A Provincial Flood Watch was issued for Southern Ontario by the Surface Water Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on April 3 2023, at 3pm.
On Wednesday, April 5, a Colorado low is expected to enter the Province of Ontario bringing up to 30mm of mixed precipitation and warmer temperatures to the Kawartha Region.
Water levels in local rivers and streams started rising in response to the runoff produced by the recent rainfall over the past weekend, and as observed this morning, the water levels and flows in local watercourses remain elevated. According to Kawartha Conservation there is still a considerable snowpack in the watersheds to the north of the Kawartha Region which is expected to melt, and combined with the rainfall, will contribute to higher water levels in the Kawartha Region.
Residents in the Mariposa, Gull and Burnt River Watersheds as well as those that are in low-lying flood-prone areas are advised to monitor conditions.
No widespread flooding is expected; however, flooding in low-lying areas, areas adjacent to streams and road ditches may occur. Smaller watercourses may reach or overtop their banks. Ponding of water on urban surfaces may occur as storm sewer systems can become overwhelmed by high runoff.
Under these watershed conditions, all local watercourses should be considered dangerous. Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay away 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.
Otonabee Conservation has also issued a Flood Watch for the Municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills, and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management.
Officials say snowmelt run-off from the above-normal snowpack in the headwaters of the Trent-Severn Waterway will combine with rainfall run-off to significantly accelerate inflows to the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake, and Trent River.
As of today, Tuesday April 4th, flows on the Otonabee River currently measure 240 cubic meters per second (cms). Water levels and flows on the Otonabee River have the potential to rise once the storage capacity of the Kawartha Lakes is exceeded. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Otonabee River is expected. Also, with the influx of water entering the Kawartha Lakes, water levels will begin to rise, breaking the ice cover resulting in a risk of ice movement and ice jamming causing flooding. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Kawartha Lakes shoreline is expected.
