Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety
North Bay District
NEWS
Monday, June 03, 2019
1600 hrs
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – North Bay District is advising residents in the District that a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is in effect until Monday, June 10, 2019.
The Ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
Weather forecasts are slated to remain relatively stable in the coming days with trace amounts of precipitation to fall on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
The forecast is indicating mainly sunny and dry weather for the remainder of the week. Moderate winds with strong gusts from northwest today out of North Bay, with winds then shifting from the southwest tomorrow then shifting from the east by Wednesday.
Description of Current Conditions
In some locations the ground is saturated and as a result has little ability to absorb further precipitation. Further significant rainfall events could increase the potential for high water levels, however decreased inflows into area lakes, rivers and streams has stabilized the affected watersheds and has returned to more seasonal level and flow.
Due to safety concerns and the higher than normal water levels recently experienced, safety booms in the following locations have not been installed at:
• Lake Temiskaming Dam
• Latchford Dam
• Hurdman Dam at Mattawa
Reports of large debris (e.g. logs, docks, decks, etc.) are also being reported in flood affected waters and pose an additional safety risk to recreational users.
Municipalities and residents, especially those in low-lying areas and along shorelines, are encouraged to monitor these conditions and prepare accordingly. Shorelines and banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and unstable at this time and, when combined with cold open water, pose a serious hazard.
A close watch on local forecasts and conditions is recommended.
DEFINITIONS
• WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions • WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
• FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
• FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
LEARN MORE
• Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/flooding
• Environment Canada bulletins: www. weather.gc.ca
• A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended.
ontario.ca/mnrf
Disponible en français
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Graham Mewett, IRM Technical Specialist
705.475.5529
graham.mewett@ontario.ca
Or
Danielle Loranger, A/IRM Technical Specialist
705.475.5523
Danielle.loranger@ontario.ca