Flood outlook statement remains in effect

UPDATE Jan 8 – Quinte Conservation’s Flood Outlook Statement for the potential of flooding remains in effect on the Moira, Salmon, Napanee, and Prince Edward watersheds.

Quinte Conservation General Manager Terry Murphy says warmer temperatures this week should eliminate the formation of new frazil ice.

“However, the rise in temperature combined with forecast rainfall may cause an increase in river flows which could lead to ice breaking up and accumulating in river systems. Ice jams are most common in narrowing river sections, bridges, bends and below rapids.”

He says “Quinte Conservation staff will continue to monitor conditions. If residents observe sudden increases in the water levels or the formation of ice jams they should contact the Quinte Conservation office at 613-968-3434.

Ice building at Wellington beach on a grey, cold January 2018 morning. John Ferguson photo

Quinte Conservation staff monitoring frazil ice

Jan 3 – Quinte Conservation is issuing a flood outlook statement for the potential of flooding due to frazil ice.

Terry Murphy, general manager, says conditions are similar to those experienced in 2004 when frazil ice became a problem in the Salmon, Napanee, and Moira River systems.

“Quinte Conservation staff have been out monitoring frazil ice throughout the holiday and continue to do so as the extreme temperatures have made for ideal frazil ice conditions,” he said. “We have locations on the Salmon, Napanee, and Moira river systems that can present problems with frazil ice.”

Frazil ice is sticky, slushy ice that forms in fast flowing water in very cold temperatures, -18 and colder. Frazil ice can collect under ice sheets or adhere to bridge abutments or any natural materials under the water, causing a river to overspill its banks.

“Quinte Conservation staff will continue to monitor conditions and if residents observe sudden increases in the water levels or ice conditions they should contact the Quinte Conservation office at 613-968-3434”.

The statement is to be in effect until (or updated before) Monday, Jan. 8th, 2018.

Statement explanations:
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT: This is a general notice of potential flooding or other conditions that pose a safety risk. There are two kinds of statements:

– a WATER SAFEY STATEMENT indicates that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for users such as anglers, boaters, swimmers, children or pets. Flooding is not expected.

– a FLOOD OUTLOOK STATEMENT gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.

Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency serving 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.

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