The City of Peterborough is offering sandbags to residents affected by localized flooding as a result of high water levels on the Otonabee River.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is currently experiencing higher-than-normal water levels due to recent rainfall as well as snow melt from the watershed’s northern region.
As a result, some residential properties along the Otonabee River below Lock 19 – Scott Mills south of Little Lake may be affected by the high water levels.
For residents who need sandbags to divert water from their properties, the city has set up sandbag fill locations with sand, bags, and shovels.
The stations are located at Graham Avenue at Lillian Street, Riverside Drive at Archibald Street, and Sherin Avenue at Bensfort Road. They are open on Sunday (April 6) until 7 p.m. and will remain open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. as required.
Public works crews will be at each location to help residents fill sandbags, but residents are responsible for transporting the sandbags and placing them on their properties. The city is recommending sandbags be place around basement window wells and doors.
High water levels are also affecting other areas along the Otonabee River, including Little Lake. The Peterborough Marina and other areas have been taped off or barricaded due to flooding conditions.
Residents are asked to avoid these areas and follow all posted signage.
The city is also advising residents that shorelines and riverbeds should be considered unstable due to high and fast water levels. Residents should use extreme caution around shorelines, with children closely supervised and pets leashed at all times.
