Flood Watch - Trent Severn Waterway & Local Watercourses

Message # 2026-03
Issued: 11:30 a.m., Tuesday February 3, 2026

SUBJECT: The FLOOD WATCH issued Thursday January 22, 2026, for the Trent-Severn Waterway, particularly the Otonabee River and upper Trent River to Hastings and local watercourses within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation will be extended to Tuesday February 10, 2026.

ISSUED TO: This FLOOD WATCH is issued to alert municipalities, water management authorities, Indigenous communities, Ministry of Natural Resources and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management.

WEATHER: The extreme cold air temperatures and wind chill will continue for another week. The cold air, combined with a lack of ice cover and turbulent flows on the Otonabee River and upper Trent River (to Hastings) may result in the generation of frazil ice – a type of slush ice.

FRAZIL ICE: Frazil ice can form when cold air temperatures and wind chill combine to cause surface water temperature to be super-cooled (i.e., cooled below the freezing point), but the super-cooled water is unable to form a solid cover of ice because of fast and turbulent water. As frazil ice flows downstream, it may accumulate against obstructions such as islands, bridge piers and abutments, particularly in areas where flows are slower or in areas of channel constrictions. Frazil ice may also anchor itself to the bottom of a watercourse and accumulate.

FLOOD RISK: As frazil ice flows downstream, it may accumulate and restrict water flow, causing water levels to rapidly rise and create the potential for flooding.

ACTION: The Trent-Severn Waterway is monitoring conditions and responding accordingly. Residents along the shores of the Otonabee River and upper Trent River (to Hastings), especially those located in low-lying areas, are strongly encouraged to watch for frazil ice generation and fluctuating water levels, and take action to limit or prevent damages in case of flooding. Water levels can be monitored at Trent-Severn Waterway, Water Survey of Canada and Otonabee Conservation websites.

This FLOOD WATCH message will expire Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 3 p.m., unless up-dated earlier.

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Neil MacFarlane | Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 231
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com