Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - August 16 to August 19, 2024

Kawartha Conservation Watershed
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety
Date: Friday August 16, 2024
Time: 8pm

Message sent based on information received from:

• Kawartha Conservation Flood Forecasting Network
• Ministry of Natural Resources - Surface Water Monitoring Centre
• Environment and Climate Change Canada

A slow-moving low-pressure system is forecast to bring rainfall to Southern Ontario starting tonight through Monday morning. The weather pattern is likely to bring rapidly changing conditions between sunny skies and heavy downpours. Rainfall amounts across the Kawartha Watershed are predicted to be between 40 to 80mm of rain over the next four days. Some areas may experience higher rainfall rates than others due to localized downpours.

All watercourses have the potential to be dangerous during extensive heavy rain. Riverbanks are to be saturated and slippery and areas with moving water may be unsafe. Therefore, Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay a safe distance from all streams and rivers, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Children should be warned of the dangerous conditions and supervised while outside.

Northern tributaries, such as the Burnt River and Gull River are monitored by staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Residents along these two rivers are requested to direct any questions concerning water levels to the Minden Area office at 705-286-1521 or refer to the messages issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

Additional information from the Trent Severn Waterway (TSW) is available at the Water Management InfoNet web page.

This Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety will be in effect through Monday August 19, 2024.  

Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring local watercourses and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction of any changes. We are in close communication with partner agencies such as the Trent Severn Waterway, Ministry of Natural Resources, and neighbouring Conservation Authorities during all flood situations.

If you are aware of or have concerns about flooding, please contact Kawartha Conservation at 705-328-2271 or 705-344-0155 after hours.

Please note that: Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is a general notice that existing or potential conditions pose a risk to personal safety.  Watershed Conditions Statements - Water Safety may be issued when streams are flowing at or near bank full levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft and/or slippery.