North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority News Release ********************** Despite the slow start in snow fall this winter, recent snow falls have not only increased the snow pack, but provided a much needed increase in the water content, particula
North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority News Release
**********************
Despite the slow start in snow fall this winter, recent snow falls have not only increased the snow pack, but provided a much needed increase in the water content, particularly in outlying areas.
Data collectecd by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) at its three snow survey stations shows that water content continues to steadily increase within North Bay while out-lying areas have seen a significant jump in water content with above normal readings in Corbeil and Chisholm.
“Like a sponge, snow acts as a trap for rainfall, regulating its release. On average, there is about 11 centimeters of equivalent water in the snowpack, meaning if the snow were to melt, there would be 11 centimetres of water on the ground. This is slightly more than this time last year when there was an average of 10 centimetres of snow,” says Susan Brownlee, Regulations Officer for the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
“Warmer temperatures and forecasted rainfall across the region over the next couple of days will help to reduce the snow pack, however, it is anticipated that there is enough snow to absorb most of the anticipated rainfall,” she added.
As the winter continues and the density of the snow increases due to melting, it loses its water-holding properties and becomes more prone to runoff.
The NBMCA monitors the snow pack bi-weekly throughout the winter and into spring. Snow is measured for depth and water equivalence at three locations in the watershed including the former Northeast Mental Health Centre on Hwy 11 N, Corbeil Conservation Area on Hwy 94, and the Shirley Skinner Conservation Area in Chisholm Township.
Although things appear to be stable now, it is still early to predict what will happen in the spring.
"What we have to look at and be aware of is that we could have at least six more weeks with snow on the ground," she said. "We have to continually monitor it."
The best-case scenario for snow melt is warm days and cold nights, which helps to slowly melt then deplete the snow. Rapid melting, as a result of higher than average temperature, results in heavy runoff and the chance of flooding. As weather patterns become more sporadic, the ability to predict the effect on the watershed becomes more difficult, said Brownlee.
Should flooding situations arise, the NBMCA notifies area municipalities and other agencies, using different bulletins for differing levels of severity. A “flood safety bulletin”, Brownlee said, is a general notice of potential watershed conditions or conditions that pose a risk to personal safety (high flows, unsafe ice).
A “flood advisory” means there is a chance of flooding while a “flood warning” implies flooding is imminent.
Data for the season and an up to date flood watch indicator can be found on the NBMCA website at www.nbmca.on.ca.
Former Northeast Mental Health Centre (Hwy 11N) (Chippewa Ck Subwatershed)
Current Average Snow Depth for February 15, 2011 44.5 cm (166% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for February 15, 2011 8.1 cm (75% of normal)
Average Snow Depth for February 15, 2010 40.4 cm
Highest recorded snow depth for February 15 since 1988 67.1 cm in 2006
Lowest recorded snow depth for February 15 since 1988 6.5 cm in 1995
Corbeil Conservation Area (Hwy 94) (La Vase River Subwatershed)
Current Average Snow Depth for February 15, 2011 56.3 cm (125% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for February 15, 2011 12.1 cm (126% of normal)
Average Snow Depth for February 15, 2010 43.2 cm
Highest recorded snow depth for February 15 since 1987 71.6 cm in 2001
Lowest recorded snow depth for February 15 since 1987 23.6 cm in 1995
Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Wasi River Subwatershed)
The Shirley Skinner Conservation Area was added as an NBMCA snow monitoring station in 2007 in order to better understand the Wasi watershed and better represent the entire NBMCA jurisdiction. As the NBMCA has less than five years worth of data at this location, no comparisons can be calculated at this time.
Current Average Snow Depth for February 15, 2011 55.9 cm
Current Average Water Equivalence for February 15, 2011 12.0 cm
Average Snow Depth for February 15, 2010 45.2 cm
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with the environmental needs of the region’s watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.
