Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Chapleau Wawa District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook is in effect in the District until Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
Residents in the Chapleau Wawa District area should keep a close watch on conditions and exercise caution around rivers and streams. Please alert and monitor any children under your care to possible dangers and supervise their activities. The forecasted precipitation over the weekend could cause local flooding in low lying areas.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
Northeastern Ontario is expected to receive significant amounts of precipitation over the next few days as a series of weather systems pass through the Region.
Over the next 3 days, central areas of Northeast Region are expected to receive 50 – 90 mm of precipitation, with a mix of rain and snow through the northern portions of the Wawa and Chapleau areas.
Minor thunderstorms may develop today and tomorrow which could add an additional 5 – 10 mm of accumulated precipitation. Colder temperatures will move into the region as the weather systems move into Quebec on Friday.
Description of Current Conditions
Due to recent and forecasted rainfall events across the northeastern Ontario, enhanced runoff can be expected throughout the Chapleau Wawa area resulting in elevated water levels in area watercourses and minor overbank conditions in low lying areas.
A close watch on stream flow conditions and local weather conditions, and updated forecasts are recommended during the passage of these storm events.
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 Canada is recommended.