A Flood Watch has been issued for the Lake Nipissing Shoreline in North Bay and Callander. A FLOOD WARNING remains in effect for the remainder of the North Bay – Mattawa watershed, except where a Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook remains in effect for the Mattawa River downstream of Hurdman Dam.
"Water level on Lake Nipissing has been rapidly rising in response to significant inflows. Water levels have reached summer navigational levels and continue to rise. Runoff from recent rain and melt remains extremely high flowing into Lake Nipissing,” said Angela Mills, NBMCA Flood Duty Officer.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Yellow Warning for Rainfall for tomorrow (Apr 18), forecasting a cold front bringing 20-30 mm of rain that may at times be heavy and a risk of a thunderstorm. Strong southerly winds are also forecast for Saturday as front passes through. Temperature is forecast to be well above freezing today and tomorrow and then drop to near freezing for a couple days.
The water level of Lake Nipissing has been rising at a rate of about 10 cm per day and is expected to continue to increase in response to higher inflows. Public Services and Procurement Canada is forecasting Water level on Lake Nipissing to exceed non-damage levels by early next week. Conditions through the coming weeks are likely to be comparable to 2019’s flooding levels. It is possible they may exceed levels recorded in 2019. The public is encouraged to keep children and pets away from watercourses and shorelines. Avoid driving through flooded areas if possible. For flood emergencies, contact your local municipality. Residents of unincorporated townships should contact the Ministry of Natural Resources – North Bay District.
NBMCA staff will continue to monitor conditions as part of the Authority's Flood Forecasting and Warning Program and will update this message as needed.
Current flood status and condition updates are available at nbmca.ca. This statement is also distributed to local media and posted on X (@theNBMCA), Facebook (@theNBMCA), and Instagram (@nbmcainfo).
This message is in effect until Wednesday April 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM EDT.
NBMCA cannot assist residents or businesses with active flood response, and we do not control water levels or operate dams. Our watershed is largely natural. Water levels are driven directly by rainfall and snowmelt, with very few control structures in the area. The one structure we operate helps prevent Lake Nipissing from flooding upstream on Parks Creek in North Bay. The Parks Creek Backflood Control operations began today, and the public is advised that Eva Wardlaw Conservation Area is closed while in operation.
Note: The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority is responsible for local flood forecast and warning programs for residents who live within the jurisdiction, including those in North Bay and Callander to Mattawa. Where a Conservation Authority has not been established, the local MNR District Office is responsible for local Flood Forecast and Warning programs, including along the Ottawa River, see MNR Flood Forecast and Warning.
CONTACT:
Angela Mills, Flood Duty Officer, cell: 705-497-4668
Paula Loranger, Community Relations Coordinator, cell: 705-494-5115