(North Bay June 19, 2019 – 3 pm) Water levels on Lake Nipissing have lowered enough for the Flood Warning to be downgraded to a Flood Watch and the Parks Creek Backflood Control Structure to be shut down today by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. The Flood Warning for Lake Nipissing had been in place since April 25, 2019.
“A Flood Watch notifies that the potential for flooding exists. Although water levels are trending down, water levels on Lake Nipissing remain higher than normal, affecting the lower reaches of the La Vase River, Parks Creek and Jessups Creek. Mattawa and the reminder of our jurisdiction remain under a Water Conditions Statement for Water Safety,” said Kurtis Romanchuk, NBMCA Duty Officer.
The pumps and logs were removed from the Parks Creek Backflood Control Structure and the waterway and Eva Wardlaw Conservation Area were reopened today. Visitors to Eva Wardlaw Conservation Area as asked to use caution along the shoreline due to erosion. Restoration work is planned for the shoreline. NBMCA has been operating the Parks Creek Backflood Control Structure May 2, to help mitigate flooding and sewer back-up for 350 homes in the Parks Creek neighbourhood.
The current forecast for the North Bay-Mattawa areas shows only trace precipitation over the next five days, up to 5mm. Highs will be around 20-23 degrees Celsius, with lows around 10-12 degrees Celsius. North winds are forecasted over the next few days, with gusts over 30 km/h.
Lake Nipissing is currently at elevation 196.28m near North Bay, falling approximately 1cm over the last 24 hours. Lake Nipissing continues to remain vulnerable to wind and rain effects, and strong westerly winds may drive up water levels on the east side of Lake Nipissing including the City of North Bay and the Municipality of Callander. The outflow from the Dams continues to be reassessed to balance flooding on Lake Nipissing and the French River.
The Ottawa River at the Town of Mattawa is currently at elevation 153.98m, and has fallen approximately 4cm over the last 24 hours. This is causing a backwater effect on the Mattawa River downstream of the Hurdman Dam, and contributing to high water levels in this area. A decrease in flow was made upstream on the Ottawa River at the Temiskaming Dam today, which should result in lower water levels along the Ottawa River, and further decreases are expected over the coming weeks.
A Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety remains in effect for the Mattawa River, and other watercourses in NBMCA’s jurisdiction due to high water levels.
Residents can visit the NBMCA website www.nbmca.ca under Spring 2019 Flood Update for links to the up-to-date levels on Lake Nipissing and Ottawa River at the Mattawa River.
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.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).
This message will be in effect until (or updated before) Wednesday, June 26, 4:00pm.
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CONTACT:
Kurtis Romanchuk, Duty Officer, 705 474-5420
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach, 705 474-5420
Terminology: Notification Levels
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT: general notices of potential flooding or other conditions that pose a safety risk. There are two kinds of statements:
Water Safety indicates that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for users such as anglers, boaters, swimmers, children or pets. Flooding is not expected.
Flood Outlook gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.
FLOOD WATCH notifies that the potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
FLOOD WARNING: Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.