ORCA issues Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - May 1, 2025

Message #2025-13

Issued: 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2025

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY issued for Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) and all local watercourses. Currently there are no flooding concerns. However, conditions remain dangerous on and around all watercourses within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation.

With the arrival of warm spring air temperatures and open water conditions there are new opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. Recreational water users and anyone engaged in outdoor activities should use caution, and be aware of the following dangers: 

·    Spring rains cause the edges of all waterbodies and watercourses to become saturated and slippery. Stay away from the edge.

• Spring storms cause high water levels and fast-flowing water that can erode and undercut banks and shorelines, making them prone to collapse. Stay away from weakened riverbanks.
• Extremely cold water temperatures make submersion in near-freezing water a potentially life-threatening situation. Before boating or paddling on area waterbodies, plan and prepare appropriately.
• Rescuing another person or a pet from extremely cold or fast flowing water is dangerous. If you see someone has fallen in a body of water, call 911 for help immediately.
• Dangers around dams, culverts, open ditches and other water conveyance structures always exist and should be avoided.

Through the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program, Otonabee Conservation actively monitors water levels, flows and weather forecasts to alert municipalities, water management authorities, Indigenous communities, Ministry of Natural Resources and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management about current watershed conditions.

​Water levels can be monitored on-line at:

1)     Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet

2)     Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data 

3)     Otonabee Conservation website

 This WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT-WATER SAFETY is effective immediately and will remain in effect until 3 p.m., Thursday May 22, 2025, unless updated earlier.

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Neil MacFarlane| Flood Forecasting & Warning Duty Officer | 705-745-5791 x 231
orcafloodduty@otonabeeconservation.com

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