Message #2017-21 ISSUED: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday May 09, 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
A High Pressure system will dominate our region, and the region to the north, for the next 3 days.
As a result, there is no significant weather in the forecast for the next 3 days. However, on Day 4,
a large Low Pressure system centered east of Lake Superior will begin to bring rain to our region.
South of the Kawartha Lakes, the expected rainfall will be nominal. North of Kawartha Lakes, the
system is expected to be stronger than it will be south of the Kawartha Lakes, and therefore, the
current forecast is that the Haliburton / Bancroft / Reservoir Lakes region will receive a total
amount of about 40 millimeters before the system leaves the region, and there is a return to drier
conditions, on Monday, May 15.
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.
KAWARTHA LAKES
There are no changes today to flows in or out of Buckhorn, Chemong, Pigeon, Lower
Buckhorn, Lovesick, Stony, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes. As a result, water levels on the
lakes will continue to rise during the next 24 hours at about the same rate as observed during the
past 24 hours. Yesterday, the tri-lakes (Pigeon, Chemong and Buckhorn) and Lower Buckhorn
Lake rose by about 2.5 centimeters. During the past 24 hours, Lovesick Lake rose about 3.5
centimeters. On Stony, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes, yesterday’s rise was approximately 7
centimeters.
OTONABEE RIVER
As a result of continued rising waters on Kawartha Lakes, and in particular, Lake
Katchewanooka, 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 189.06 meters above sea level.
Given no changes today on the flows in or out of Buckhorn, Stoney or Katchewanooka Lakes, it is
anticipated that water levels on the Otonabee River will 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.
RICE LAKE and TRENT RIVER (to Hastings)
In response to the voluminous amounts of water coming down the Otonabee River, water levels
on Rice Lake, as well as water levels / flows on the Trent River (to Hastings) are continuing to
rise. Rice Lake rose about 5 centimeters yesterday, and therefore, is expected to rise another 5
centimeters during the next 24 hours.
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 TUESDAY, MAY 09th 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