Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the northern Kawarthas region for significant rainfall starting Sunday morning (April 12), with local conservation authorities issuing a flood warning and flood watch.
The special weather statement is in effect for northern Peterborough County, northern Kawarthas Lakes, and Haliburton County.
Rain is expected to move into the area Sunday morning and persist into Monday afternoon. Thunderstorms may also affect the area late in the day Sunday and Sunday night.
Rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are expected, with locally higher amounts possible. There remains uncertainty regarding exact rainfall amounts, and rainfall warnings may be issued for some areas.
After a break in the precipitation later Monday, another round of heavy rain may affect the region Tuesday.
The frozen or nearly saturated ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall.
Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood warning for the Trent-Severn Waterway, as a result of expected significant rainfall combined with increased runoff from rain and snowmelt caused by daytime air temperatures well above seasonal norms in the Haliburton–Reservoir Lakes region.
As a result, water levels and flows are expected to rise rapidly, and flooding in low-lying areas is imminent, particularly along the Otonabee River.
The conditions pose a high risk to public safety and may result in property damage in flood-prone areas. Residents are reminded to stay away from shorelines and dams due to hazardous conditions.
Kawartha Conservation has issued a flood watch for the shorelines of Balsam Lake, Cameron Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Pigeon Lake, and Lake Scugog. Larger rivers such as the Gull River and Burnt River are expected to experience higher water levels and flows as a result of water management practices in the Haliburton watershed. This will result in further increases in water levels within the Kawartha lakes.
Water management of these northern watercourses as a result of significant rainfall combined with increased runoff from rain and snowmelt is expected to further elevate water levels and flows in both the Gull River and Burnt River in the coming days, potentially impacting shorelines residents within the Kawartha Lakes.
Low-lying areas along shorelines may experience higher then normal water levels, while water structures such as dams, locks, and bridges are expected to have increased flows. Residents are advised to avoid all watercourses during this time and recreational users should avoid waterways until conditions stabilize.
