Water Safety Statement March 9, 2021

Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has released a Water Safety Statement for all watercourses in their region.  A Water Conditions Statement is issued when high flows, ice or other factors could be dangerous, but flooding is not expected.

Our local rivers and creeks are currently flowing at average levels for this time of year. Based on the observations from the March 1st snow survey, there was 28.8cm of snowpack with approximately 68mm of snow water equivalent and frozen ground conditions. The snowpack has degraded over the past week with the sunshine and warmer temperatures and has become icy and granular.

Above seasonal temperatures are predicted for the next four days with nighttime lows dipping below zero. A weather system is forecast to move into our region on Wednesday and Thursday with the potential to bring upwards of 10-15 mm of precipitation. The combination of warm daytime temperatures, snowmelt and rain will result in run-off to lakes, rivers, creeks and wetlands, causing higher than normal water levels and flows, but no flooding.

Under these conditions, all local rivers, creeks, ditches, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous. Riverbanks are slippery, unsafe and could be undercut. Stream currents are strong, and temperatures dangerously cold. Road-side ditches, wetlands and other low-lying areas will experience ponding. Ice cover, where it exists, is extremely hazardous.

More information is available on the ORCA website.

Neil MacFarlane| Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer
705-745-5791 x 231
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com 
Flood Watch Hotline 705-745-5791 x 228