SUBMITTED BY LOWER TRENT CONSERVATION
Lower Trent Conservation advises local municipalities and the public that a Flood Watch has been issued for Lake Ontario and Bay of Quinte shoreline from Grafton to Quinte West. Residents along the shoreline should be aware of the potential for erosion and flooding.
A significant storm system is occurring across most of southern Ontario today. Heavy rainfall is expected with 25- 50 mm of rain forecasted along the Lake Ontario basin. Water levels on Lake Ontario are expected to rapidly increase this week and onwards in response to significant precipitation throughout the Lake Ontario basin, high inflows from Lake Erie, and spring freshet flows from local inputs. Lake Ontario outflows have been reduced due to the current situation in the Ottawa River and downstream impacts along the St. Lawrence River. Currently, the lake level at Cobourg is approximately 75.3 metres above sea level, which is 35 centimetres above the long term average for April. Although, Lake Ontario water levels are above average for this time of year, the observed water levels are currently well below the extreme highs of 2017.
Strong winds associated with this storm event that will track through today and into tomorrow will bring wave heights in excess of 1 metre. Surge related flooding along the shoreline is possible as well as an increased potential for erosion damages from high waves. Residents should be aware that high onshore winds can result in greater short-term fluctuations of water level.
Water levels on the Great Lakes naturally vary, responding monthly, seasonally and annually to a variety of factors. Water levels are primarily influenced by natural factors, including precipitation, evaporation, winds, runoff from rivers or streams and inflow from upstream Great Lakes. The Moses-Saunders Dam, approved by the International Joint Commission in the 1950’s, also provides some control over water levels and flows.
Lake Ontario typically reaches its seasonal high water level in May/ June. Residents living along Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte should expect further increases in water levels for at least the next month.
Residents should ensure personal property (boats, docks, etc.) along the shoreline is secured. Property owners are also reminded that any work along the shoreline (e.g., place of fill, armour stone, etc.) will require a permit from Lower Trent Conservation and should call the office or visit the website for more information.
Please note, the Flood Warning previously issued for the Trent River on April 22, 2019 is still in effect until April 29, 2019.
Lower Trent Conservation monitors water levels and weather forecasts closely as part of its flood forecasting and warning program. Daily water level updates are available at www.LTC.on.ca. If you have concerns about water levels, please contact Lower Trent Conservation at (613) 394-4829.
This Flood Watch will be in effect until (or updated before) Monday, May 10, 2019.
Lower Trent Conservation advises local municipalities and the public the Flood Warning issued for Rice Lake and Trent River from Hastings to Trenton is still in effect. This update is to provide information on the conditions on the system and expectations into next week.
There is 20 – 30 mm of rain forecasted for overnight and into tomorrow for the Trent River Basin. The Trent River system is in full spring freshet Flows and water levels on the river are still on the rise. Rice Lake is seeing a steady rate of rise and this rate is not expected to slow down in the near future. The rains predicted will be keeping the system moving at similar rates.
In the northern reaches of the Trent River watershed, flows on the Burnt River peaked earlier in the week at a record setting 240 cms (cubic metres per second) and flows are still high but trending downward. The Gull River is still seeing increasing flows and the additional rain will add to these flows. The Kawartha Lakes are now all overfull and Parks Canada is managing water levels on the Kawartha Lakes with high inflows from the Gull, Burnt and Central Lakes. Outflows from the Kawartha Lakes, through the Otonabee River, into Rice Lake and down the Trent River are expected to increase over the next week. Flows into the Trent River from the Crowe River are at 225 cms and are leveling out. However, the rain may reverse that trend.
The water levels in areas that typically see flooding are approaching houses especially in the Lower Hastings, Percy Boom and Green Acres areas. Parks Canada will continue to operate the dams along the Trent River to facilitate flow to the Bay of Quinte but increasing flows and water levels are expected. Residents can expect to experience water levels similar to 2014.
Lower Trent Conservation will be maintaining daily contact with Parks Canada, the Provincial Surface Water Monitoring Centre and neighbouring Conservation Authorities to ensure we are aware of all dam operations and conditions that may affect the water levels on local waterways.
While the potential dangers presented by rivers, small streams and open ditches never cease to exist, they are of particular concern at this time of the year. Water currents are strong and temperatures dangerously cold. Parents and caregivers are advised to keep children and pets away from all waterways. Areas around dams, culverts and bridges should be avoided at all times.
Lower Trent Conservation monitors water levels and weather forecasts closely as part of its flood forecasting and warning program. Daily water level updates are available at www.LTC.on.ca. If you have concerns about water levels, please contact Lower Trent Conservation at (613) 394-4829.
