Flood watch continues for Lake Nipissing shoreline

A "Flood Watch" continues for the Lake Nipissing shoreline in North Bay and Callander.

A Flood Watch on the lower reaches of the Mattawa River has ended but a "Flood Outlook" remains in effect for other areas of the North Bay-Mattawa watershed, including the Mattawa River below Hurdman Dam, according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.

“Average water level on Lake Nipissing continues to rise in response to inflows from last week’s rain event,” stated Angela Mills, NBMCA Flood Duty Officer. “Lower reaches of Lake Nipissing tributaries including Chippewa Creek, Parks Creek, Jessup’s Creek, and La Vase River will be impacted by high water levels on Lake Nipissing. The forecast winds will trigger higher water levels and increased wave action along the Lake Nipissing shoreline, heightening the risk for shoreline erosion.,” she added.

Landscape conditions with dormant vegetation and saturated soils have limited capacity to store additional moisture. Local rivers may respond rapidly to precipitation.

Easterly winds have caused water level fluctuations in North Bay as the water is pushed to the west. As the winds change direction becoming southwesterly or westerly today, the water in Lake Nipissing will be pushed back towards the east.