Latest flood update from MNRF. Lake Nipissing and French River areas still climbing slowly

Rainfall and snow melt continue to add to flooding woes locally says the latest update from the MNRF.

Lake Nipissing water levels are currently sitting at 196.46 m, well above the Maximum ‘Non-Damage’ water level of 196.22 m. Water levels are forecast to climb slowly over the next several days by approximately .5 cm per day. The wind is predicted to blow out of the northwest at 23, gusting to 34 km/h this evening, then switch to the north Saturday to 9 km/h gusting to 14.

Residents along the French River will continue to see a rise in water levels over the next several days because of higher than normal local inflows and increased discharge from Lake Nipissing.

On Lake Nipissing, boaters are being urged to stay away from shorelines and flood-affected areas so that vessel movements do not cause damage to the environment, properties, and infrastructure.

The Ottawa River Watershed continues to be affected by last weeks rainfall events combined with the remaining snow melt on the watershed.

Lake Temiskaming water levels are currently sitting at 179.86 m and are expected to stabilize or slowly decrease over the next several days. Water released from Lake Temiskaming flows down the Ottawa River to the Otto Holden Dam, in the Mattawa area, where higher than normal water levels continue.

Water levels in Mattawa are currently sitting at 155.39 m and could reach 155.55 m, however, Ottawa River water levels are expected to stabilize or slowly decrease over the next several days.

The Montreal River Watershed area continues to see higher than normal water levels and flows which have reached or exceeded flood levels in many areas. Water levels in the watershed are expected to stabilize or slightly decrease in the next several days.

In the Latchford area, Bay Lake water levels have exceeded the maximum lake level of 277.15 m and are currently sitting at 277.37 m. Bay Lake levels are forecast to stabilize or slightly decrease in the next few days with the maximum discharge continuing from the Latchford dam.

Lake Temagami water levels continue to remain higher than normal and are forecasted to rise slowly over the next several days due to snowmelt and pressures on the watershed.