Water Safety Statement issued for all area waterbodies and watercourses.

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ORCA Flood Status

This Watershed Conditions Statement is issued because of the melting of accumulated snow and rainfall over Tuesday into Wednesday will cause periods of higher-than-normal water flows/levels that can be dangerous. Flooding is not expected.

Weather Forecast: Starting today (Tuesday, January 9th) and continuing through to early Wednesday, a Texas low-pressure system will bring wet snow, freezing rain, and rain to our Region. Meteorological models are forecasting 15 to 20 cm of wet snow followed by freezing rain, and 15mm of rain. Air temperatures will continue to rise throughout the day to reach 4 degrees Celsius over night.

Watershed Conditions: As the system moves through our Region and as the precipitation changes from wet snow to rain, the snow will begin to melt. The runoff will flow over saturated/frozen ground increasing flows and water levels on lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks. High water levels/flows may translate to unsafe conditions on all watercourses, low-lying areas, roadways, and ditches. There is no risk of flooding.

Lake ice is now extremely unsafe. Area residents and visitors are reminded to exercise extreme caution around the water at this time. Caregivers are reminded that children and pets should not be allowed to approach the edge of waterbodies/watercourses. KEEP S.A.F.E. - Stay Away From Edges of riverbanks/lakeshores as they will be slippery and the banks may collapse because they are undercut.

Area water information can be monitored on-line at:

  1. Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet
  2. Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data
  3. Otonabee Conservation Precipitation and Water Level Data

This Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety is effective immediately and will remain in effect until Friday, January 12, 2024, unless updated earlier.

For more information please contact:

Neil MacFarlane Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer Tel: 705-745-5791 x 231

250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9 orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com  Flood Watch Hotline 705-745-5791 x 228