ORCA issues Flood Watch - April 23, 2025

Message # 2025-12

Issued:  3:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Subject:   The Flood Warning for the Trent-Severn Waterway is downgraded to a Flood Watch.   

Issued to: Municipalities, Indigenous communities, local water managers, Ministry of Natural Resources and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management.

Weather: The 5-day forecast includes 30 mm of rain, with a possibility of thunderstorms, starting Friday, April 25 and continuing into Saturday, April 26. This is a regional-scale storm, impacting both the Haliburton-Reservoir Lakes region and the area under the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation. Daytime temperatures are forecasted to remain well-above freezing, melting the remaining snow in the Haliburton-Reservoir Lake region.    

Flood Risk on Rice Lake, Otonabee Rice and Kawartha Lakes: Water levels in Rice Lake, Otonabee River and Kawartha Lakes within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation decreased 20 to 60 centimeters from their respective peak levels. However, during the next week water levels may increase along the Trent-Severn Waterway within the area of Otonabee Conservation because of forecasted rainfall and snowmelt in the Haliburton-Reservoir Lakes region. Nuisance flooding in low lying areas may occur.

Flood Risk on Ouse River, Indian River and tributaries to the Otonabee River: The Flood Watch for local watercourses has been downgraded to a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety. Water levels have decreased 40 to 75 centimeters in local watercourses that are not part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Forecasted rainfall will cause a temporary increase but flooding is not expected.

Actions: Municipalities, Indigenous communities, local water managers, Ministry of Natural Resources and Otonabee Conservation’s other partner in flood emergency management are advised to monitor weather forecasts and water levels and prepare for potential flooding. Water levels can be monitored at Trent-Severn Waterway, Water Survey of Canada and Otonabee Conservation websites.

Residents wanting to receive flood messages directly can subscribe on our website.

This FLOOD WATCH message will expire Thursday, May 01, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. unless up-dated earlier.

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Gordon Earle | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 214
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com