ORCA updates Flood Warning - April 9, 2025

Message # 2025-10

Issued:  3:00 p.m., Wednesday April 09, 2025

This message is an update to the Flood Warning issued for the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) and local watercourses on April 04, 2025. Flooding of low-lying, flood-prone areas along the Trent-Severn Waterway is occurring and expected to worsen over the next 48 hours as water level and flows continue to rise.

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

Weather:  The 5-day weather forecast is for a return to above-freezing temperatures, starting this weekend, but no significant precipitation. The long-range precipitation weather forecast for the second half of April is for continued above-freezing temperature and occasional regional-scale rainfall events.

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. During the next 48 hours, water levels and flows are forecast to rise on the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River and Rice Lake within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation. In the lowest parts of flood affected areas, major level flooding is occurring and expected to worsen as water levels and flows continue to increase over the next 48 hours.

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: Local watercourses that are not part of the Trent-Severn Waterway will experience reductions in water levels and flows. This downward trend in water levels and flows is expected to continue for the next 5 days.

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., Monday, April 14, 2025, unless up-dated earlier.

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Neil MacFarlane | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 231

250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9

orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com

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