Flood Warning for North Bay urban creeks

FLOOD WARNING – North Bay Urban Creeks: Chippewa Creek, Parks Creek, and others

FLOOD WATCH – Other Areas

(North Bay April 13, 2023). A Flood Warning has been issued for creeks within the City of North Bay by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA). A Flood Watch remains in effect for all other areas of the North Bay-Mattawa watershed. The potential for localized flooding exists, especially in low lying areas, as the snowmelt progresses.

“With the recent warm weather and forecast highs around 20ºC through Sunday, significant snowmelt will continue to effect local watercourses,” said Angela Mills, NBMCA Duty Officer. “The urban watercourses in North Bay have responded quickly, and in some parts are near top of bank.” Watercourses in rural areas may also experience high water levels. However, water levels on Lake Nipissing and the Ottawa River are near normal and flooding is not expected from the Ottawa River nor the Lake Nipissing shoreline at this time.

Chippewa Creek water levels increased by 95 cm over a 48-hour period. The water level on the La Vase River has steadily increased by 65 cm since April 10. High water on the La Vase River has closed the trails in the Corbeil Conservation Area in the Municipality of East Ferris. The water level on Wasi River has increased by 38 cm since April 10.

Rain is forecasted on Sunday into Monday (April 17) with 5 to 20 mm expected. The rainfall is expected to contribute to, or maintain, the existing high water levels on area watercourses and lakes. Temperatures will cool to normal for this time of year starting Monday.

The snowpack water content measured on April 6, 2023 was very high in the North Bay-Mattawa watershed with an average of 201 mm of water equivalent. The snow depths ranged between 51 and 60 cm in the NBMCA watershed. Since then, a large proportion of the snowpack has melted. The next snow measurement by NBMCA will occur on Friday (April 14).

For comparison, when river-based flooding occurred in April 2019, the snowpack water content was 123 mm (measured April 15, 2019). Rainfall of 31.8 mm was measured April 18, 2019. Daytime and overnight temperatures were above freezing.

Residents, especially those in low lying areas, are encouraged to monitor the conditions as they develop, and prepare accordingly. Shorelines of creeks and rivers will be very slippery at this time and, when combined with cold open water, pose a serious hazard. The public is encouraged to keep children and pets away from watercourses and off waterbodies.

“As part of the NBMCA Flood Forecasting and Warning Program, staff will continue to monitor weather and watershed conditions and update this message based on the changing weather/streamflow conditions,” said Chitra Gowda, NBMCA CAO. Staff remain in contact with municipalities and other partners as required.

The general public is advised of these messages through the www.nbmca.ca website with the flood status icon and a link to information about current conditions. NBMCA also circulates these messages to local media and social media, posting on Twitter (@theNBMCA), Facebook (@theNBMCA) and Instagram (nbmcainfo).                 

This message will be in effect until (or updated before) Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 12:00 pm.

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CONTACT:

Angela Mills, Duty Officer, cell: 705-497-4668
Chitra Gowda, CAO, cell: 705-477-0372

Terminology: Notification Levels

Spring Freshet 2023