(April 23, 2019 - 12 noon ) Flood Warning extended to Thursday, April 25, 4 pm. Water levels within local watercourses are elevated due to the recent rains combined with snowmelt. Water levels are expected to continue to rise over the next couple of days with the forecast precipitation and continued snowmelt. Urbanized watercourses such as Chippewa Creek are returning to more normal levels but may respond quickly to any intense rain event, and rural watercourses and lakes are expected to continue to rise. Around 10mm of rain is forecast today, with around 25mm total through this week, which will further increase water levels.
(April 21, 2019 3 pm) Watercourses in the rural areas are still rising from the recent rain and ongoing snow melt, causing flooding and road closures in some areas in the region. The flood warning issued Thursday remains in effect. Water levels in more urbanized watercourses such as Chippewa Creek are receding, but may respond rapidly to any additional rain event.
(North Bay April 18, 2019 4:15 pm) The heavy precipitation over the last 24 hours and in the forecast, together with the water from the melting snowpack, has resulted in increased water levels and flows of creeks and streams throughout the watershed, prompting North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) to upgrade yesterday’s Flood Watch to a Flood Warning.
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.
“Water levels are high and rising, in some instances above the banks. Rain is expected to continue tonight and Friday with an additional 30mm forecasted,” said Kurtis Romanchuk, NBMCA’s Duty officer.
Chippewa Creek is currently above its 1 in 5 year flood level and is continuing to rise along with other urbanized waterways such as Parks and Pinewood Parkway Creek. These urban creeks experience peak water levels more quickly. Rural watercourses tend to respond more slowly, however, flooding may be occurring or imminent in low-lying areas. Flooding is expected to be minor.
Lake Nipissing has been rising but is not expected to flood at this time. As the snow and water content in the upper watershed release and make their way to the lake, we may see some changes there in the next week. As the ice on the lakes rises, it may pose challenges for shorelines and shoreline structures.
Ice and water flow conditions are already hazardous and conditions will become even more so wherever creeks or rivers enter lakes. Areas of open water near lakes are expected to expand. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks become very slippery with precipitation and melting conditions, and areas of open water near lakes are expected to expand due to the incoming rainfall and snowmelt. 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.
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) Tuesday, April 24, 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.