ORCA updates Flood Warning - April 4, 2025

Message # 2025-09

Issued:  3:45 p.m., Friday April 04, 2025

This message is an update to the Flood Warning issued for the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) and local watercourses on April 02, 2025. Flooding of low-lying, flood vulnerable areas along the Trent-Severn Waterway and local watercourses within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation is imminent or occurring. Major level flooding is possible for the lowest lying areas along the TSW.

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

Weather:  As a result of significant precipitation in the past 48 hours coupled with unseasonably high temperatures, the Haliburton-Reservoir Lakes region is currently experiencing enhanced rain and snow/ice melt runoff to the watercourses that flow south into the Kawartha Lakes. 

The 5-day weather forecast is for approximately 30 millimeters of precipitation, and above-freezing temperatures until Monday night.

Flood Risk: With snowmelt, recent precipitation, and more rain and warm temperatures in the forecast, there is a high risk to public safety and property damages in flood prone areas on the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River and Rice Lake. Flood-related issues may include:

· Potential for significant basement flooding.

· Possibility of some 1st floor flooding in the lowest parts of flood-affected areas.

· Flooded roads causing unsafe driving conditions.

· Potential for road access to be limited or impossible.

· Flooding creating even more complex issues for flood-affected populations that are currently without electrical power.

Local watercourses, including the Ouse River, Indian River and tributaries to the Otonabee River, are experiencing extremely hazardous water levels and flows, leading to nuisance to minor level flooding of low-lying areas. However, major flooding of the local watercourses is not expected.

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 against imminent or occurring 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 Thursday, April 10, 2025, unless up-dated earlier.

                                                                      -30-

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

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