(North Bay, March 17, 2020) The annual ice removal off Parks Creek near Lakeshore Drive is set to begin Monday, March 23 and the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority is urging the public and snowmobilers to stay off the creek and away from the mouth of the creek on Lake Nipissing.
“The ice on the creek needs to be removed to create some storage space for runoff when the melt eventually starts,” explains Troy Storms, Manager, Lands & Stewardship, NBMCA. “The ice removal will also continue a short ways into Lake Nipissing, and upstream beyond Lakeshore Drive,” he added.
Each year NBMCA assesses the capacity of Parks Creek to absorb the spring melt and manages the flood control structure on the creek at Eva Wardlaw Conservation Area to ensure that people and property along the creek are safe from the risks associated with flooding.
“Removal of ice between the flood control structure and Lake Nipissing will help minimize the risk of any property flooding or ice damage to the control structure,” added Storms.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NBMCA will be continuing its Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Should conditions warrant, NBMCA will continue to advise municipalities, emergency responders and the public of any potential flooding or flood safety issues. Updates are posted on our website www.nbmca.ca Spring 2020 Freshet and on social media.
Lakeshore Drive residents in the area should experience minimal disruption from the ice removal project. The NBMCA is not anticipating any disturbance to the creek bed and the ice will be piled on the banks of Parks Creek to slowly melt. The public is urged to stay away from the ice piles as they are removed.
Individuals who wish additional information are welcome to contact the NBMCA at (705) 474-5420.
Mandated by the Province of Ontario to proactively and reactively respond to floodplain issues, the NBMCA constructed a Backflood Control Structure on Parks Creek in 1995 to prevent high water from Lake Nipissing flooding properties within the Parks Creek floodplain.
As part of the maintenance plan for the Backflood Control Structure, the conditions at Parks Creek are assessed each spring and autumn for the creek’s capacity to accommodate the season’s increased water flows.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and its 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with environmental needs throughout the region’s watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.
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Contact:
Troy Storms, Manager, Lands & Stewardship (705) 474-5420
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach (705) 474-5420 cell: (705) 497-4999