Flood Watch - Peterborough Bancroft District - Thursday, April 24, 2025
Flood Watch
Peterborough Bancroft District
Thursday, April 24, 2025
4:00pm
The Ministry of Natural Resources– Bancroft Work Centre is advising area residents that a Flood Watch is in effect in the District until Friday, May 02, 2025.
Runoff to local lakes and rivers has increased since the most recent rain and snowmelt event. Runoff will increase again as a result of forecasted rainfall and warm temperatures.
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 and the Black River watershed that have been affected in the past should continue to take necessary actions 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 and 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
York River
20mm of rain is forecasted to fall Friday night. Warm temperatures are forecasted before and after the rain event which will continue to melt the remaining snowpack. The rain will add to already elevated water levels and flows.
Most snow survey locations are bare within the watershed. Some shaded and sheltered locations still hold snow.
The combination of the rain and warm temperatures will melt the remaining snow over the coming weeks.
Black River
Temperatures over the next 7 days are expected to remain near seasonal with daytime highs up to +18°C and nighttime lows down to +1°C. There is up to 41 mm of rainfall forecasted.
Description of Current Conditions
Lake water levels and river flows peaked on April 23rd and have began to decline. The Bancroft area has very little remaining snowpack in isolated locations. The forecasted rainfall will cause water levels and flows to increase again.
Most snow survey locations in the district are reporting that there is no remaining snowpack.
Water levels and flows will remain elevated as rainfall continues to pass and snowpack continues to melt. Water levels and flows on the York River are expected to be similar to those experienced April 8th.
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