Rain Tuesday may raise already high water levels

Tuesday will see portions of southern Ontario receive upwards of 50mm of rain south of Algonquin Park to the Lake Ontario shore.  Localized amounts may reach the 60 to 70mm from Peterborough eastward to Kingston.
“The flows in all our streams and rivers are already two times the normal rate for this time of year and our lakes are also higher than normal,” says Paul McCoy, Quinte Conservation Planning and Development Manger. “The expected amount of rain on potentially frozen ground will further increase these already high levels. This may result in high water in low-lying areas. Smaller streams will be more affected by this rainfall.”
Quinte Conservation staff monitor water levels and weather forecasts carefully as part of the agency’s flood forecasting and warning program. Quinte Conservation’s area of concern includes the drainage basins of the Moira, Salmon and Napanee Rivers and their tributaries, and all of Prince Edward County.
A Watershed Conditions Bulletin is issued to raise awareness about a change or potential change in conditions on local waterways.
A High Water Advisory is issued when there is potential for flooding to occur in low-lying areas.  Municipal flood coordinators are notified that the potential for flooding exists.
A Flood Warning is issued when there is impending flooding.  A Flood Warning requires action that may include the activation of the municipal flood emergency plan, warning residents or businesses in specific affected areas, and in some cases evacuation.