Message #2013-21
ISSUED: 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 04, 2013.
SUBJECT: FLOOD WATCH issued for the Otonabee River and Kawartha Lakes
ISSUED TO: Municipalities of Selwyn (SEL), Douro-Dummer (DD), Otonabee-South Monaghan (OSM),
Cavan-Monaghan (CM), City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL), and the City of Peterborough (CP), as well as the
ORCA’s other partners in emergency flood management.
This message advises that a Flood Watch is now in effect for all flood susceptible areas abutting the
Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River, within the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority watershed. A Flood
Watch is indicating that high water levels and flows are dangerous, nuisance flooding is occurring and
landowners should prepare.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Last week a significant quantity of rainfall fell on our watershed and within the reservoir lakes region of the
Trent River Watershed. Approximately 50mm of rainfall was recorded last Thursday in the reservoir region,
combined with an already wet past couple of weeks. In the coming days, the forecast is for an additional
30mm of rain on Wednesday and Thursday within our watershed and to the North.
FLOOD RISK
The significant rainfall has resulted in higher than normal flows coming into the Kawartha Lakes and as a
result both the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River are well above normal for this time of year. Currently, the
Otonabee River is running at record high for the month of November. Trent-Severn Waterway operators will
continue to pass the above normal levels/flows through the system. Residents and Emergency Managers can
expect the Otonabee River to rise in the next 24 hours as the flow is increased from the current 275 cubic
metres per second (cms) to slightly over 300cms. These high levels/flows are expected to be maintained for
the next week or possibly longer.
While it is not anticipated that the Kawartha Lakes or Otonabee River will reach critical levels, nuisance
flooding, if not already occurring, will be present in flood prone areas. The forecast rainfall in the coming days
will possibly prolong the high levels/flows but is not expected to drastically worsen the situation.
The public is being advised to avoid all activities near the shores of the Otonabee River as high flows and
slippery banks are extremely hazardous. Affected municipalities, and those residents living in the floodplain of
the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River, are advised to take precautions to protect life and property
Staff of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide
an update should the forecast conditions deteriorate. Local municipalities are the first to respond to, and
assist with, flood emergencies. To report a flood in your area, call the Flood Watch Hotline - 705-745-5791,
ext. 228 - available on a 24-hour basis. If you experience a flood emergency, call 911 immediately. This Flood
Watch will remain in effect until Monday November 11th, 2013, or until further notice.
Ian Boland
Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer
Ph.: 705-745-5791 x 231
The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9H 7M9
BUS: (705) 745-5791
FAX: (705) 745-7488
WEBPAGE: www.otonabee.com
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Flood Watch Hotline
Ph.: (705) 745-5791, ext. 228