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Flood Forecasting

The CRCA maintains an infrastructure for regional flood forecasting. If flood conditions are forecast, one of the following will be sent to municipalities, emergency response coordinators, the media and agencies:
  • Watershed Conditions Statement (two variations):
  • Water Safety
  • Flood Outlook
  • Flood Watch
  • Flood Warning

Drought

The term drought is commonly used, but this term is more suited to the prairies where dry conditions may persist over many years. In eastern Ontario, it's more appropriate to use the term low water conditions. There are three levels of low water conditions that can be declared:

  • Level 1 - first indication of a potential water supply problem; 10 per cent voluntary conservation by the public is requested
  • Level 2 - more severe condition; 20 per cent voluntary conservation by the public is requested
  • Level 3 - indicates failure of the water supply to meet the demand

Precipitation Data

Looking for data? Click on the links below to download Intensity Duration and Frequency (IDF) data for Kingston and Brockville.

Water Monitoring and Forecasting

The stream gauge station at Millhaven Creek is one of eight automatic recording stream gauges that are part of the CRCA's flood forecasting network. Stream gauges automatically record water level and flow data that help us to predict flood changes.
An adequate water supply is critical for all life. The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority monitors and reports on water quality and quantity throughout our watershed in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE).

With the MOE, the CRCA operates a water quality monitoring program in local lakes and rivers. Water and benthic invertebrate samples are collected by the CRCA at 14 stations around the watershed. Chemical analysis of the water samples is provided by the MOE. CRCA staff analyze the benthic samples.

Flood and Drought Forecasting

The CRCA monitors weather information, river flows, snow pack and ice conditions in order to predict when floods will occur and how high the water may rise. When flooding is possible, or about to occur, the CRCA issues flood messages to municipal emergency management officials and the media. In a flood emergency situation, municipalities take the lead as they are responsible for emergency response under provincial legislation. Each municipality has an emergency response plan which deals with many situations including flooding.

As a result of a review of flood message terminology, the CRCA and Conservation Authorities across the province are introducing some changes effective February 2012. These changes will ensure that Conservation Authorities use consistent terminology in line with that used by other agencies such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada and the Weather Network.

Flood Messages and What They Mean

Normal: No flood conditions exist

Normal Conditions

Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety
High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.

Water Safety

Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook
Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.

Flood Outlook

Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.

Flood Watch

Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

Flood Warning

Water Quantity Monitoring

The CRCA and Environment Canada maintain eight stream gauges that continuously measure water levels and flows on creeks in the Cataraqui region. These stream gauges are located on the following watercourses:

  • Buells Creek
  • Collins Creek
  • Little Cataraqui Creek - West Branch
  • Lyn Creek
  • Lyndhurst Creek
  • Millhaven Creek near Millhaven and in Sydenham
  • Wilton Creek.

The CRCA also measures precipitation and snow depth and quality at 12 rain gauges and seven snowcourse survey sites.

Water Quality Monitoring

We monitor water quality through a number of different programs. Chemical analysis of surface water (lakes, rivers and streams) from 14 locations around the region is analyzed monthly during ice-free conditions. This is done under the Ministry of Environment's Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network.

Benthic macroinvertebrates are also collected and identified regularly throughout the year. These are insects such as dragonflies, mayflies and leeches that spend some or all of their life in the water. These insects provide a good indicator of the quality of the water. A large population of benthic macroinvertebrates means that the stream or river is healthy.

Groundwater quality is also monitored at seven wells in the region throught the MOE's Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network. The CRCA maintains records for each of these wells and is able to evaluate long-term trends throught their analysis.

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P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada K0H 1S0
Telephone: (613) 546-4228
E-mail: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca

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