(North Bay March 23, 2022) With water levels on local watercourses generally at above-average levels, precipitation and above zero temperatures will add to the ongoing snow melt over the next few days, prompting the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority to issue its third Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook this spring.
“Water levels on local watercourses within NBMCA’s jurisdiction are generally at above-average levels for this time of year due to the relatively early start to the melt, but these levels are typical of the spring freshet,” said Kurtis Romanchuk, NBMCA Duty Officer.
Localized flooding from area watercourses is possible if substantial rainfall and snowmelt occurs. Water is likely to accumulate on roadways, parking lots and flat or low-lying areas but serious flooding is not anticipated at this time.
“It is anticipated that urbanized watercourses within NBMCA jurisdiction, such as Chippewa Creek, will rise Thursday with the rainfall and warm temperatures. Ice has been removed from Parks Creek to help increase capacity and reduce high levels in that area,” said Romanchuk.
“It is important for everyone to take care especially along streambanks and shorelines. Banks are slippery and fast-moving water can pose a serious hazard. The warm temperatures and precipitation will degrade ice conditions on lakes and waterbodies further,” added Romanchuk.
Rural watercourses will have a delayed response as rural watersheds take more time to accumulate runoff, but they are likely to rise later on Thursday and may continue to rise on Friday. In some areas rural watercourses remain elevated from the rainfall last weekend, and are expected to rise further with the additional rainfall forecast. It is expected that the cool weekend temperatures will slow the melt and runoff.
Weather forecasts for the next few days include an estimated 9mm of precipitation this (Wednesday) evening, and a further 7mm tomorrow (Thursday), with a large portion of it likely to fall as rain. The high temperature on Thursday will be around 7 ºC, with the lows staying slightly above zero around 1 ºC. Continued precipitation is forecast in the days following, with 3mm Friday, 5mm Saturday, and 2mm Sunday, but temperatures will cool with Saturday’s low forecast around -14 ºC.
Flood Outlook gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.
All residents, especially those in low-lying areas, are encouraged to monitor the conditions that are developing. Municipalities are encouraged to monitor shorelines and water crossings and respond as necessary.
A close watch on local conditions and updated forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada is also recommended. Staff at the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority will continue to monitor weather and watershed conditions and provide updates if conditions change.
The general public is advised of these messages through the www.nbmca.ca website with the flood status icon and a link to information about current conditions. NBMCA also circulates these messages to local media and social media, posting on Twitter @theNBMCA, Instagram nbmcainfo, and Facebook theNBMCA.
The public is invited to share photos of watershed conditions on social media using #NBMCAFlood.
This message will be in effect until (or updated before) Monday, March 28 at 4 pm.
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CONTACT:
Kurtis Romanchuk, Duty Officer, cell: 705-498-1462
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach, cell: 705 497-4999
Terminology: Notification Levels