Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook - Peterborough Bancroft District - Friday, April 11, 2025
Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook
Peterborough Bancroft District
Friday, April 11, 2025
3:00pm
The Ministry of Natural Resources– Bancroft Work Centre is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook is in effect in the District until Friday, April 18, 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 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
Mixed precipitation of 13mm is forecasted for the area over the next 5 days. Recent warm temperatures have started to melt the remaining snowpack. Above freezing temperatures are forecasted for the coming week with some overnight lows forecasted to be below freezing.
Description of Current Conditions
Lake water levels and river flows peaked on April 8th in the Bancroft area and have since began to decline. Some snowpack remains in the Bancroft area.
Lake Water levels and flows have peaked in the Northern regions of the watershed. Significant snowpack remains in the Algonquin Park area.
Snow surveys suggest that some areas near Bancroft still hold 50-80mm of water in the snowpack. Northern areas of the watershed (Whitney and Algonquin Park area) are holding 80-120mm of water in the snowpack.
Water Levels and Flows will remain elevated as the snowpack continues to melt.
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