Watershed Condition Statement: Flood Outlook
Flood Potential: Low
Ice Jam Potential: Moderate
Issued to: local municipalities and school boards, local conservation authorities, emergency response agencies, health unit, media, NVCA board and staff
Date: Jan 06, 2025 (6:30 PM)
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority advises that Ministry of Natural Resources has issued a Provincial Watershed Conditions Statement covering our watershed.
A cold front is moving slowly south across the province of Ontario. It is bringing cold, sub-zero, temperatures and sustained winds to southern Lake Superior coast and southern Ontario and continuing this weekend into next week. Day time temperature highs are forecast to remain anywhere from -5°C to -15°C this week.
Frazil ice is forming in some parts of the watershed. Stream levels and flows are still elevated in areas that experienced warm temperatures, snowmelt and rain last week; however, the cold snap and forecast cold weather conditions are ideal for the formation of frazil ice on open water approaching zero degrees.
Lack of ice cover and exposure of the water surface to cold temperatures and/or wind chills below -18°C can trigger the formation of frazil ice. Frazil ice can accumulate quickly on bridge abutments, piers, and riverbanks. Consequently, water levels can rise quickly upstream of areas susceptible to frazil, or anchor ice constrictions, and may lead to localised high-water conditions or flooding in vulnerable areas.
Please exercise caution around all bodies of water. The public and especially children are advised to stay away from all watercourses, bridges, culverts and dams. Alert any children under your care of these dangers and supervise their activities. Please avoid driving through flooded roadways.
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority continues to monitor river and stream conditions and will issue additional messages as conditions warrant. This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect until, or updated before, 12:00PM Friday January 10, 2025.
For additional information, please call 705-424-1479 or check our website at: www.nvca.on.ca
Jared Robertson
Flood Duty Officer
A Watershed Condition Statement is a general notice of weather conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety or which have the potential to lead to flooding. A Flood Outlook message is an early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.