(North Bay June 3, 2019 – 2 pm) The Flood Warning has been continued for Lake Nipissing. For areas other than Lake Nipissing within the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority area, including the Ottawa River at the Town of Mattawa, the Flood Warning is now terminated, and a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety remains in effect due to high water levels.
Currently there is only minor precipitation forecasted for the North Bay-Mattawa area over the next five days, around 5-10mm. Highs will be around 13-19 degrees Celsius, with lows around 4-9 degrees Celsius. A strong northwest wind is currently gusting up to 50 km/h on Lake Nipissing, forecasted to continue throughout today, diminishing overnight, but continued strong westerly winds are possible tomorrow (Tuesday).
Lake Nipissing
Lake Nipissing is currently at elevation 196.52m (metres above sea level) near North Bay, falling about 2cm in the last 24 hours, however strong winds are causing increased water levels in some areas.
“Lake Nipissing continues to remain very vulnerable to wind and rain effects, and the current northwest winds may drive up water levels on the east side of Lake Nipissing including the City of North Bay and the Municipality of Callander.,” said Kurtis Romanchuk, NBMCA Duty Officer.
This may pose a threat to properties along the Lake Nipissing and Callander Bay shoreline, as well as along the lower La Vase River and Jessups Creek. There remains strong potential that Lake Nipissing may exceed elevation 196.59m, at which point the French River Dams would be opened completely, and the outflow from the Dams is being reassessed on a continuous basis to balance flooding on Lake Nipissing and the French River.
NBMCA has been operating the Parks Creek Backflood Control Structure on Red Alert and pumping since May 2, to help mitigate flooding and sewer back-up for 350 homes in the Parks Creek neighbourhood. The pumps will remain in operation until Lake Nipissing’s water levels return to normal levels.
Information about the current status of Lake Nipissing may be found at the PWGSC website: https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ontario/eaux-water/renseignement-information-eng.html
The current Lake Nipissing water level may be viewed at the WSC website (note that there is a delay of several hours, and 190m should be added to the gauge reading for metres above sea level): https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02DD006
Updates on conditions can be found on the NBMCA website: https://www.nbmca.ca/watershed-management/flood-forecasting/spring-2019-flood-event-updates/
Mattawa
The Ottawa River at Mattawa is currently at 153.75m (metres above sea level) and has been stable over the last two days. As mentioned above, the Flood Warning for the Ottawa River (and therefore the lower Mattawa River) has been terminated, however a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety remains in effect, and residents are reminded to exercise caution around high water levels. Safety booms have not yet been installed at the Hurdman Dam.
The current forecast for the Ottawa River states that water level at Mattawa peaked this year at 155.64m on May 11. Information about the most current forecasted peak water levels for the Ottawa River may be found at the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website: http://www.ottawariver.ca/Forecast-2019.pdf
Information about the most current forecasted water levels for the Ottawa River may be found at the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website: http://www.ottawariver.ca/Forecast-2019.pdf The current Ottawa River water level may be viewed at the Water Survey of Canada (WSC) website (note that there is a delay of several hours, and 100m should be added to the gauge reading for metres above sea level): https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02JE013
Cautions to Residents
All residents, especially those in low-lying areas, are encouraged to monitor the conditions that are developing. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses and waterbodies.
If your property is at risk of flooding, please contact your municipality. If you live in an unincorporated township, please contact Graham Mewett at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – North Bay District office at 705-475-5529.
Municipalities are encouraged to monitor water crossings and respond to high water levels. A close watch on local conditions and updated forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada is also recommended.
Staff at the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority will continue to monitor weather and watershed conditions and provide updates if conditions change. Updates are posted on the website www.nbmca.ca under Spring 2019 Flood Update link on the home page.
The general public is advised of these messages through the www.nbmca.on.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), Instagram (nbmcainfo), and Facebook (NBMCA).
The public is invited to share photos of watershed conditions on social media using #NBMCAFlood.
This message will be in effect until (or updated before) Friday, June 7, 4:00pm.
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CONTACT: Kurtis Romanchuk, Duty Officer, 705 474-5420
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach, 705 474-5420 ext 2010 cell: 705 497-4999