ORCA updates Flood Warning - April 14, 2025

Message # 2025-11

Issued:  1:00 p.m., Monday April 14, 2025

This message is an update to the Flood Warning issued for the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) and local watercourses on April 09, 2025. Flooding of low-lying, flood-prone areas along the Trent-Severn Waterway is occurring and expected to continue through next week.

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

Weather:  The short-term weather forecast is for above-freezing temperatures and light rain. The long-term forecast will bring warm temperatures and the potential for 20 to 30mm of rainfall from Friday to Sunday.

Flood Risk on the Trent-Severn Waterway:  Current water levels and flows are creating a high risk to public safety and property damages in flood-prone areas. Water levels and flows are expected to recede slightly over the next few days on the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River and Rice Lake within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation. However, due to rainfall this weekend and continued snowmelt from headwater areas of the TSW system, water levels and flows are expected to increase over the weekend and early next week. In the lowest parts of flood affected areas, major level flooding is occurring and expected to continue through next week.

Major level flooding includes:

• ·  Possibility of some 1st floor flooding of buildings.
• ·  Potential for significant basement flooding.
• ·  Flooded roads causing unsafe driving conditions.
• ·  Potential for road access to be limited or impassable.
• ·  Potential for floating and submerged debris to create additional hazards.
• ·  Flooding and increased water depths may disrupt daily activities, particularly for the elderly and infirm.

Flood Risk on Ouse River, Indian River and tributaries to the Otonabee River: Water levels and flows have decreased on local watercourses that are not part of the Trent-Severn Waterway. As a result, the Flood Warning for local watercourses is downgraded to a Flood Watch.

Actions: Municipalities, Indigenous communities, local water managers, and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management are advised to monitor conditions and take appropriate action to protect from flooding. Water levels can be monitored at Trent-Severn Waterway, Water Survey of Canada and Otonabee Conservation websites.

This FLOOD WARNING update message will expire 3 p.m., Thursday, April 24, 2025, unless updated earlier.

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Neil MacFarlane | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 231 (April 14 to 16)

Gord Earle | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 214 (April 16 to 24)

250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9

orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com

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