(North Bay, Ontario, April 8, 2020) In the past week, snow depth has decreased by an average of 18.4cm and water equivalence has decreased by an average of 55.3mm since the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) undertook snow pack measurements taken on April 1.
The average snow depth for the three sites is 3.9 cm and the average water equivalence for the three sites is 11 mm. By comparison to last year’s spring melt, the average snow depth was 51.8 cm.
NBMCA is now measuring the snow pack weekly to monitor conditions during the spring freshet. The % normal will be available during the next snow survey which takes place April 15.
As part of NBMCA’s flood forecasting program, snow is measured for depth and water equivalence at three locations in the watershed and water levels are monitored at various watercourses.
As of this morning, water levels on Chippewa Creek and the La Vase River have continued their steady descent, and are within average ranges for this time of year. The Wasi River level has remained relatively flat, with only a slight decrease, slightly above average for this time of year. The Amable du Fond River, the Ottawa River (currently at 152.44m at Mattawa), and Lake Nipissing (currently around 195.29m at North Bay) are continuing to rise as the upper watersheds continue their melt, but are within normal ranges for this stage of the melt.
North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek Watershed, North Bay)
*Data prior to Dec. 2011 collected at the former Northeast Mental Health Centre, Hwy 11N
|
Current Average Snow Depth for April 8, 2020 |
0 cm |
|
Current Average Water Equivalence for April 8, 2020 |
0 mm |
|
Average Snow Depth for April 8, 2019 |
55.7 cm |
|
Average Water Equivalence for April 8, 2019 |
141 mm |
Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River Watershed, Corbeil)
|
Current Average Snow Depth for April 8, 2020 |
2.9 cm |
|
Current Average Water Equivalence for April 8, 2020 |
10 mm |
|
Average Snow Depth for April 8, 2019 |
35.2 cm |
|
Average Water Equivalence for April 8, 2019 |
91 mm |
Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed, Chisholm)
|
Current Average Snow Depth for April 8, 2020 |
8.7 cm |
|
Current Average Water Equivalence for April 8, 2020 |
23 mm |
|
Average Snow Depth for April 8, 2019 |
64.5 cm |
|
Average Water Equivalence for April 8, 2019 |
140 mm |
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with the environmental needs of the region’s watershed. NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.
You can follow NBMCA on twitter @theNBMCA and on facebook.com/theNBMCA.
For more information, contact:
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach, cell (705) 497-4999
Kurtis Romanchuk, Water Resources Engineer, (705) 474-5420