FLOOD WATCH – North Bay Urban Creeks: Chippewa Creek, Parks Creek, Pinewood Parkway Creek, and others

FLOOD OUTLOOK – Other Areas

(North Bay April 4, 2023). With the anticipated snowmelt and high amount of rain forecasted, water levels in creeks and rivers are expected to rise. The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) is issuing a Flood Watch for the urban creeks in the City of North Bay and is extending the Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook for other watershed areas.

“Weather forecasts show warm temperatures and rain for the next few days. Significant melting of the snowpack is likely,” said Angela Mills, NBMCA Duty Officer. “Urban watercourses in North Bay will respond more quickly to the rainfall and snowmelt. Watercourses in rural areas may experience peak water levels after rainfall stops. Localized flooding is possible in all watercourses”, Mills added. “Water levels in area streams and Lake Nipissing are currently at or below normal for this time of year.”

A freezing rain warning is in place for the North Bay – Mattawa area. Additionally, 20 to 40 mm of rain is expected Wednesday into Thursday, April 6. Daytime and overnight temperatures will be above freezing from midday Wednesday through late Thursday. The existing snowpack water content is high, at an average of 176 mm (measured March 31, 2023) or 214% of normal for this time of year. These warm temperatures and rain are expected to result in a significant amount of snowmelt.

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,” said Chitra Gowda, NBMCA CAO. “The public is encouraged to keep children and pets away from watercourses and off waterbodies,” she added.

Staff at the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority will continue to monitor weather and watershed conditions and update this message based on the changing weather/streamflow conditions. 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) Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 am.

-30-

CONTACT:

Angela Mills, Duty Officer, cell: 705-497-4668
Chitra Gowda, CAO 705-474-5420

 

Terminology: Notification Levels

Spring Freshet 2023