North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA), in collaboration with the Province of Ontario, the City of North Bay, and the Municipality of Callander, has completed a comprehensive update to floodplain mapping for several key watercourses in the region.
The completed mapping includes Chippewa Creek, Parks Creek, and Jessup’s Creek within the City of North Bay, and Lansdowne Creek in the Municipality of Callander.
These updated maps provide detailed information about areas vulnerable to flooding during significant storm events and will support informed decision-making for future development and land-use planning. The final maps and technical reports are now available at: https://nbmca.ca/about-us/floodplain-mapping/
“Floodplain mapping is an important tool in managing flood risk and guiding development in flood hazard areas,” said Githan Kattera, Regulations Officer/Water Resources Coordinator at NBMCA. “These maps are developed using models for different storms, including the 100-year event and the Timmins Storm, which is our Regional Storm standard. These maps are a tool to help keep people safe and reduce flood-related damages.”
The maps show accurate flood elevations, depths, and extents for various storm scenarios, helping municipalities, developers, and landowners understand potential risks and plan for them. This information also helps the region proactively manage natural hazards.
The public consultation period ran from January 20 to February 20, 2025, to gather public input. Feedback from residents, municipalities, and stakeholders was reviewed and integrated into the final products where appropriate.
Moving forward, these updated maps will be used in the review of planning applications and Section 28 permits under Ontario Regulation 41/24 of the Conservation Authorities Act. This ensures that proposed developments in or near flood-prone areas are reviewed in alignment with updated hazard data, reducing exposure to flood risk.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s member municipalities. NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario responsible for watershed management on behalf of local municipalities, stakeholders, and the province.
The public can follow NBMCA on the web at nbmca.ca, on X (@theNBMCA), Facebook (@theNBMCA) and Instagram (nbmcainfo).
For additional information, contact:
Githan Kattera, Water Resources Coordinator/Regulations Officer, 705-498-1462
Paula Loranger, Community Relations Coordinator, 705-474-5420 ext. 2002