To: Watershed News Media
Date: March 9, 2011
Kingston – With another significant snow/rainfall event forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) cautions residents that water levels in local creeks and streams will again rise significantly in the next 72 hours. Creeks and streams remain high from last weekend’s rainfall event. Ice blockages continue to cause localized flooding in some creek systems. The rain and warm conditions predicted by provincial weather forecasters has the potential to further aggravate these conditions. Municipal flood responders are encouraged to continue monitoring low lying areas prone to localized flooding and ice jamming.
With rising water levels, ice may be weaker than it appears. Shorelines will be slippery and flow in local watercourses will be fast and cold. Caution should be exercised near all creeks, rivers, and lakes.
This bulletin is based on provincial predictions of rainfall and the CRCA’s monitoring of snow cover, flows in creeks and rivers, and lake levels. The CRCA continues to monitor stream flows and watershed conditions as part of its flood forecasting and warning mandate.
For more information call:
Sean Watt, Water Resources Engineer (613) 546-4228 ext. 241 or
toll-free (613 area code) 1-877 956-CRCA ext. 241
Newsrooms please note:
A watershed conditions bulletin is NOT a flood warning. Its purpose is to raise public awareness about a change or potential change in watershed conditions. A watershed conditions bulletin may suggest unsafe water, ice or bank conditions that may pose potential safety issues on local waterways.
A flood advisory is issued when there is potential for flooding to occur in low-lying areas. Municipal emergency response officials are notified that a potential for flooding exists.
A flood warning is issued when there is impending flooding. A flood warning requires action that may include the activation of the municipal emergency response plan, warning residents or businesses in specific affected areas, and in some cases, evacuation.