Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety

The first wave of warm weather is arriving in southern Ontario, including the Kawartha Conservation watershed, later this week. We can expect air temperatures to climb as high as 12C°on Wednesday and Thursday. Precipitation, up to 15 mm of rain, is also predicted. 

The mild weather in the next few days will cause the existing snow pack to start melting, producing a moderate runoff. The rain, predicted for Wednesday and Thursday, will add to the runoff. As a result, the local watercourses will start rising. 

The ice cover, where it exists, will become highly unstable and will break up and may start moving. A piling of ice and ice jamming might be possible. No wide-spread flooding problems within the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction are anticipated at this time.

However, the water levels in local watercourses will increase. Water accumulation can be expected in low-lying areas, road ditches, and areas with poor drainage. Rivers and streams may reach or overflow their banks in some locations. Smaller streams will react quickly, but larger watercourses will take longer to respond. Under these conditions, all local rivers, streams, ditches, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous. Riverbanks are slippery, unsafe and could be undercut. Stream currents are strong, and temperatures dangerously cold. Ice cover, where it exists, is extremely hazardous.

Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay away from water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside. This Watershed Conditions Statement-Water Safety will be in effect or updated before Friday March 12th, 2021

Kawartha Conservation is closely monitoring the development of this weather situation and assessing the flood hazard. You can subscribe to receive the Kawartha Conservation flood messages.