Message #2017-22 ISSUED: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday May 10, 2017
Subject: FLOOD WARNING UPDATE for all watercourses / waterbodies in the
geographical jurisdiction of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority
(ORCA).
Issued to: Municipalities of Selwyn (SEL), Douro-Dummer (DD), Asphodel-Norwood (AN),
Otonabee-South Monaghan (OSM), Cavan Monaghan (CM), City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL), City
of Peterborough (CP) and Trent Hills (TH), as well as ORCA’s other partners in emergency flood
management.
A FLOOD WARNING is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
This message is an update to the FLOOD WARNING first issued MAY 03rd, and information
contained in this FLOOD WARNING UPDATE is based on observations of the ORCA combined
with input from our partners, including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Water Survey
of Canada, Parks Canada – Ontario Waterways Unit, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
and Forestry, and municipal Community Emergency Management Co-ordinators (for details, see
text below).
WEATHER
Today, a High Pressure system continues to dominate the region, and will continue to bring warm
and dry weather tomorrow, as well. On Friday, this will be replaced by a Low Pressure system
which will bring to the region some precipitation and cooler weather. However, the expected
precipitation for both our region and the region to the north of the Kawartha Lakes is only
nominal. That is, on Friday, May 12, the region south and north of the Kawartha Lakes is
expected to receive less than 5 millimetres in the form of rain showers, and the same is expected
on Saturday. Sunday will see a little more shower activity, but nonetheless, the total amount of
rain received on Sunday is expected to be less than 10 millimetres. On Monday, May 15, the Low
Pressure system will leave our region, and therefore, there will be a return to warmer and drier
conditions.
SMALL WATER COURSES
Currently, the small water courses in the area are coming down. This includes the tributaries to
the Indian and Ouse Rivers, as well as the tributaries to the Otonabee River including, but not
limited to, Ray’s, Sawer, Jackson, Meade, Byersville, Riverview, Tompson, Bears, Cavan,
Baxter and Squirrel Creeks. These small streams and creeks will continue their downward trend
throughout the coming days. The rainfall expected this weekend is not likely to reverse the
downward trend in water levels / flows of small streams and creeks in the area.
KAWARTHA LAKES
Water levels on Lower Buckhorn and Lovesick Lakes did not rise or decline yesterday, and are
expected to remain steady today, as well. The Tri-Lakes (Buckhorn, Chemong and Pigeon
Lakes) climbed 2 centimeters yesterday, and are expected to climb another 2 centimeters today.
Stony, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes rose 6 centimeters yesterday, and will rise during the
next 24 hours at about the same rate as observed during the past 24 hours.
OTONABEE RIVER
As a result of continued rising waters on Stony, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes, water levels /
flows on the Otonabee River continue to increase. In the past 24 hours, the water levels on the
river, below Lock#19, rose 4 centimeters to 189.10 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.). Today,
water levels are expected to continue rising at the same rate as yesterday. That is, the Otonabee
River is expected to rise another 4 centimeters during the next 24 hours, at which time the water
levels will revival those maximum highs experienced in the past decade and a half of spring
flooding events, but will still be 46 centimeters below the all-time high.
RICE LAKE and TRENT RIVER (to Hastings)
Rice Lake continues to rise in response to the large volumes of water flow out of the Kawartha
Lakes via the Otonabee River. Rice Lake rose about 3 centimeters yesterday, and therefore, is
expected to rise another 3 centimeters during the next 24 hours.
Water levels / flows on the Trent River (to Hastings) are continuing to rise in accordance with
rising water levels on Rice Lake.
STAY SAFE
Owing to their higher than normal levels / flows and the cold water temperatures, all of the abovenoted lakes, rivers, streams and creeks continue to pose a serious danger. Area residents are,
therefore, advised to observe caution around all area waterbodies and watercourses.
Furthermore, throughout the geographical jurisdiction of the ORCA, significant pooling / ponding
has occurred in low lying areas where there is poor drainage. Also, wetlands have swelled to the
point of covering roads in some areas. Area residents are, therefore, advised to obey all road
closure signs, and never drive through flooded areas.
In addition, dams, culverts and other water control / water conveyance structures are to be
avoided at all times.
To report a flood in your area, call the ORCA’s Flood Watch Hotline - 705-745-5791, ext. 228, or
e-mail: [email protected].
If you experience a flood emergency, call 911
immediately.
This FLOOD WARNING will again be up-dated no later than THURSDAY, MAY 11th at 3 pm.
- 30 –
Gordon Earle, B.Ed., B.Sc., F&W Tech.
Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer
Ph.: 705-745-5791 x 214
The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
Phone: (705) 745-5791
Fax: (705) 745-7488
www.otonabee.com
[email protected]
Flood Watch Hotline
Ph.: (705) 745-5791,
ext.228