A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is beginning/occurring or when more serious flooding is possible. A Flood Warning requires action that may include the activation of the municipal flood emergency plan, warning residents or businesses in specific affected areas, and in some cases evacuation.
ISSUED TO: Municipalities (Alnwick/Haldimand, Quinte West, Trent Hills), Northumberland & Hastings Counties, Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Trent-Severn Waterway, Ontario Power Generation, Innergex, Media, Health Units, Emergency Response Agencies
MESSAGE #: LTC – 19 – 12 Valid until Wednesday, May 1st, 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.
This Flood Watch will be in effect until (or updated before) Wednesday, May 1st, 2019.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
