Update to Friday’s media release re: ice removal from Parks Creek.
Due to the weekend’s rain, warm temperatures and rapid ice melt, NBMCA began removing ice from Parks Creek this morning (March 21).
(North Bay, March 18, 2022) The annual ice removal off Parks Creek near Lakeshore Drive is set to begin Tuesday, March 22 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 from the ongoing melt and precipitation,” explains Troy Storms, Manager, Lands & Stewardship, NBMCA. “The ice removal will also continue a short way into Lake Nipissing. With the weekend’s rain and warmer temps, we’ll assess conditions on Monday and determine how far upstream we need to remove,” 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.
The Parks Creek Backflood Control Structure, part of NBMCA's natural hazard and flood management program, is located in Eva Wardlaw Conservation Area at the mouth of the Parks Creek on Lake Nipissing near Lakeshore Drive and Marshall Avenue in North Bay.
It was installed in 1994/95 to prevent high water levels in Lake Nipissing from backing up Parks Creek and flooding its surrounding low lands causing basement flooding and overcharging the municipal storm sewer system for approximately 350 homes. High Parks Creek flows can also create downstream overbank conditions, even at low lake levels, due to the flat streambed gradient and very low flow velocities.
“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.
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.
NBMCA monitors the melting snowpack, precipitation, temperatures as well as water levels in area lakes and streams as part of Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. NBMCA advises municipalities, emergency responders and the public of any potential flooding or flood safety issues. A Flood Outlook was issued today by NBMCA due to anticipated precipitation and above zero temperatures, causing increased snow melt and run off. Updates are posted on our website www.nbmca.ca Spring 2022 Freshet and on social media.
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