Melting snow, rain and above-zero daytimes temperatures, has prompted the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) to issue a water safety statement.
“A low-pressure system is moving through the province today and Thursday, bringing rainfall and continuous warmer weather to the North Bay – Mattawa region," says Katelyn Lynch, NBMCA’s duty officer.
"This system is forecast to bring rainfall of 20-35 mm total. The North Bay – Mattawa region has already received around 15mm since last night. Temperatures today will climb into the high single digits, continuing to melt the existing snowpack.”
Rainfall over the next 24 hours will cause increased runoff to watercourses and water bodies.
Warm weather is forecast for the next five days which will continue to cause snowmelt and runoff. This runoff will lead to higher than normal water levels, although flooding is not anticipated at this time.
The MNRF has issued a similar warning.
"Stream flow and levels across the forecast region are moderately elevated as a result of ongoing freshet operations combined with recent snow melt associated with the current warm weather conditions. Snow surveys conducted April 16th and 17th show approximately 80 to 200mm of water equivalent across central and northern Ontario. Local reports indicate that snow is saturated across most of the forecast area and ready to release water content. A close watch on conditions across Southern sectors of Northern Ontario is recommended as the saturated snowpack and warmer temperatures in the forecast may result in the quick increase of stream flows and levels."
NBMCA conducted a snow survey on Monday, April 23rd with snow depths ranging between 22 and 39 cm. Average water equivalence of the snow pack ranges between:
- 79 mm in the La Vase River subwatershed,
- 99mm in the Kaibuskong River subwatershed, and
- 123mm in the Chippewa Creek subwatershed.
Much of the snow pack has started to melt with the warmer temperatures and rain received this week.
The Authority has a warning!
Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery at this time and when combined with cold open water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses and off water bodies that have thinning, unsafe ice.
