(North Bay May 26, 2022) Water levels in area watercourses are generally at above-average levels for this time of year due to the continued rainfall today. With more rain in the forecast, and a chance of several large storms passing through, the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority has issued a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety.
“Chippewa Creek is approximately one foot below its top of bank level and may continue to rise in response to heavy rainfall. Rural watercourses including the La Vase River and Wasi River are elevated but remain below their peak levels from earlier this spring,” said Kurtis Romanchuk, NBMCA Duty Officer.
The Ottawa River, which influences the level of the Mattawa River in Mattawa, is also at an above average level, and the highest level yet this year, due to a combination of local inflows and flow from upstream reservoirs along the Ottawa River.
“Further increases on the Ottawa River are possible depending on the amount of rainfall received and flow from upstream areas,” added Romanchuk.
Water managers at Hydro Quebec, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) are actively monitoring the situation on the Ottawa River and seeking to minimize high water levels and flood risk across all areas.
Weather forecasts for the next several days include 9mm of rainfall today (Thursday), and 4mm tomorrow (Friday), and some trace precipitation in the days following. However, several large storms are moving through the area and higher amounts are possible in local areas.
Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks become very slippery with precipitation, and when combined with open and/or fast-moving water can pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses and water bodies.
A close watch on local conditions and updated forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada is also recommended. 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 theNBMCA.
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, May 31 at 5 pm.
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