Water Management Update – Apr18/19

With a major rainfall event now occurring the water levels and flows are changing quickly. Both MNRF and TSW have issued updated reports.

For the Water Management Update from Parks Canada – click here

For the Flood Warning from MNRF – click here

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From Parks Canada:

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting up to 68 mm of precipitation. Air temperatures will approach double digits in Haliburtons and remain positive overnight. 

Outlook

With the ongoing snowmelt and significant forecasted amount of rain, coupled with warm temperatures, flows and water levels are expected to increase at all locations as the impacts of the rain and melting snow work their way through the system.

The Trent Severn Water Management team will be active and the changing conditions will be closely monitored.   Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district. 

Ice on shorelines

The temperature variations around and above the freezing mark makes ice weak along the shoreline which is then easily broken and moved by windy conditions. The areas subject to the greatest impact are those facing the primary wind direction. In the event of strong wind conditions the public should be aware of possible onshore ice movement leading to shoreline damage. The current forecast winds are moderate but increasing to a high reaching up to 38 km/ hr gusts. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week ice out should continue. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

With the onset of the snowmelt, water levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. Snow amounts remain above average for this time of the year in the most northern areas of the Gull River system. Most lakes on the Gull River and Burnt River systems remain below average but are rising due to the onset of the melt. Lake levels are monitored daily and assessed in relation to estimated runoff amounts. Most Central Lakes with exception of Jack Lake are below average and are rising due to the ongoing snowmelt. The flows on Gull River and Burnt River remain above average due to the snowmelt and operational activities. Flows on both rivers are anticipated to increase with increased runoff from the forecasted precipitation.