Flood Watch - Peterborough Bancroft District - Friday, April 04, 2025
Flood Watch
Peterborough Bancroft District
Friday, April 4, 2025
12:00pm
The Ministry of Natural Resources – Bancroft Work Centre is advising area residents that a Flood Watch is in effect in the District until Friday, April 11, 2025.
Runoff to local lakes and rivers has increased as a result of melting snow and ice.
Residents in Peterborough Bancroft District are reminded to keep a close watch on weather conditions, regularly check for updated messages, and exercise caution near fast-moving rivers and streams.
Flood prone properties along the York River downstream of Baptiste Lake that have been affected in the past should continue to take necessary action to protect and secure any vulnerable property.
Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.
Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue take necessary action to protect/secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions and regularly check for updated messages.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.
Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
Mixed precipitation up to 25mm is forecasted for the area over the next 5 days. The snowpack is beginning to melt as a result of warmer temperatures. Above freezing temperatures are forecasted for Friday and Saturday and cooling to below freezing in the evening from Sunday to Wednesday. Temperatures will then warm again towards the end of next week which will cause more of the remaining snowpack to melt.
Description of Current Conditions
Lake water levels and river flows have decreased from the peak levels that were experienced on March 24th. Water levels and flows have begun to increase again as a result of melting snow and rain.
The snowpack that was depleted across Peterborough Bancroft District has accumulated more water due to the latest snow/ice storms. Snow surveys suggest that some areas near Bancroft still hold 80mm of water in the snowpack. Northern areas of the watershed (Whitney and Algonquin Park area) hold from 100-150mm of water in the snowpack.
Water Levels and flows will increase over the next week from the melting snowpack.
DEFINITIONS
• WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
• WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions
• SHORELINE CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that along the Great Lakes shorelines high water melting ice or other factors could be dangerous but flooding is not expected.
• SHORELINE CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding along the Great Lakes shorelines based on weather and lake conditions, and water safety information.
• FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
• FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
LEARN MORE
• Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/page/surface-water-monitoring-centre
• Environment Canada bulletins: www.weather.gc.ca
• A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment and Climate Change Canada is recommended.
Nathan Hack, IRM Technical Specialist, Bancroft Work Centre, 613-202-1620
ontario.ca/mnr