(North Bay, April 25, 2019 - 2:30 pm) Area lakes and rural watercourses, already swollen and in some cases flooding from melting snow, rain and runoff, could see up to 50mm of rain in the coming week, prompting North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) to expand the Flood Warning to include Lake Nipissing and extend it until next Thursday.
Flood Warning notifies that flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.
Since April 18, more than 55mm of precipitation has fallen, and more than 100mm of snow-water-equivalence has melted. Between 10 and 30mm of rain is forecasted for tomorrow, and up to 50mm through this week, with some variability between weather forecasters.
“It is also expected that Lake Nipissing will reach 196.0m, 15cm above the summer operating level, by this weekend. Lake Nipissing is also forecasted to reach 196.22m, the flood limit at which damages may begin to occur, by May 2. This may pose a threat to properties along the Lake Nipissing and Callander Bay shoreline, particularly if there are strong winds or waves, said Kurtis Romanchuk, NBMCA’s Duty Officer.
“NBMCA is preparing to operate the Backflood Control Structure on Parks Creek, if needed, to prevent the rising waters from Lake Nipissing from flowing upstream into Parks Creek,” he added.
Information about the current status of Lake Nipissing may be found at the Public Services & Procurement Canada (PSPC) website:
https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ontario/eaux-water/renseignement-information-eng.html
Flooding is occurring in low-lying areas around lakes and watercourses, particularly along large rural systems where runoff is accumulating. Wasi Lake, Trout Lake, Lake Talon, Lake Nosbonsing, and other lakes along and near the Mattawa River are currently experiencing very high water levels, and water levels will likely continue to rise with the forecasted rainfall. Urban watercourses including Chippewa Creek may experience a quick rise in response to any intense rainfall event.
Although there is flooding in low lying areas along the Mattawa River, there are currently no concerns regarding backwater flooding in Mattawa from the rising water levels in the Ottawa River. Information about the current forecast water levels for the Ottawa River may be found at the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website:
http://www.ottawariver.ca/Forecast-2019.pdf.
Ice and water flow conditions are already hazardous and conditions will become even more so wherever creeks or rivers enter lakes. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks become very slippery with precipitation and melting conditions. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses and waterbodies.
All residents, especially those in low lying areas and along waterways are encouraged to monitor the conditions that are developing. Municipalities are encouraged to monitor water crossings to ensure the continual movement of water through culverts and bridges.
If property owners think that their property may be at risk of flooding, they should contact their municipality. People in unorganized townships should contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Ontario North Bay District Office 705-475-5529 or, in the case of an emergency, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre 416-314-0472.
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 NBMCA.
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) Thursday, May 2, 4:00pm.
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CONTACT:
Kurtis Romanchuk, Duty Officer, 705 474-5420
Sue Buckle, Supervisor Communications & Outreach, 705 474-5420 ext 2010 cell: 705 497-4999
Terminology: Notification Levels
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT: general notices of potential flooding or other conditions that pose a safety risk. There are two kinds of statements:
Water Safety indicates that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for users such as anglers, boaters, swimmers, children or pets. Flooding is not expected.
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.
FLOOD WATCH notifies that the potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
FLOOD WARNING: Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.