Crowe Valley Conservation: Flood Lookout Statement

The Crowe Valley Conservation Authority is issuing the following Flood Outlook Statement effective immediately, 5 January 2023 and will be updated as required.

FLOOD OUTLOOK STATEMENT

Water levels and flows continue to rise due to recent significant rainfall amounts and snow melt in the past 24 hours and have the potential for flooding risks. As a result, the CVCA flood forecasting and monitoring staff has issued a FLOOD OUTLOOK STATEMENT for the entire Crowe Valley watershed.

Once again, municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should be prepared to take the necessary steps to initiate steps to fight potential flooding. The Crowe River, Beaver Creek and North River continue to rise along with all of the monitored lakes in the watershed.

Increased flows and water levels on lakes, rivers and their tributaries are hazardous. Parents need to inform their children of these conditions and ensure they stay away and stay safe during this period of higher than normal water levels and flows. All watershed residents need to be aware of rising water levels due to the significant rainfall and snow melt which results in higher than normal conditions.

Hypothermia is also a threat for anyone who ignores the warnings and either falls through the ice or into open water. Avoid banks of rivers and streams where snow and ice make slippery or unstable walking conditions which could lead to accidently falling into water. Smaller tributaries such as streams, creeks and ditches with fast flowing water must be avoided to eliminate exposure to hazardous conditions.

Flows around dams and hydro generation plants have increased substantially and the ice thinning could be severe for a considerable distance from the dam. Structures such as culverts and bridges with fast flowing water going through or underneath them must be avoided as well. Ice on lakes which was used recreationally or walked on only days ago will begin to wear away and may not be safe. CVCA staff strongly advise residents, especially children stay away from these dangerous zones.

THEREFORE, THE CVCA URGES EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN TO STAY AWAY FROM ALL DAMS, WEIRS, HYDRO GENERATING PLANTS, BRIDGES. RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS ON WATERCOURSES CAN EASILY CREATE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS CAUSING HARM OR DROWNING ACCIDENTS LEADING TO FATALITIES.

CVCA staff will continue to monitor levels and flows daily as per normal operations and this Flood Outlook Statement will be updated as conditions warrant. If there are any questions or concerns, contact Tim Pidduck, CVCA General Manager or Neil McConkey, Water Resources Supervisor at 613-472-3137. The CVCA includes portions of the municipalities of Trent Hills, Stirling-Rawdon, Marmora and Lake, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, North Kawartha, Wollaston, Limerick, Tudor and Cashel, Faraday and Highlands East.

P.O Box 416, 70 Hughes Lane
Marmora, ON
K0K 2M0

Phone: 613 472 3137

Fax: 613 472 5516

www.crowevalley.com