Crowe Valley Conservation Authority - Issues Flood Watch

The Crowe Valley Conservation Authority is issuing the following revised FLOOD WATCH effective immediately, 28 March 2025 at 2:00 pm and will remain in effect until 4 April 2025 unless updated prior to this date.

FLOOD WATCH

A significant snowpack with a water equivalent of approximately 52mm remains in the northern reaches of the Crowe Valley watershed.  These conditions and the forecasted precipitation for the upcoming 72 hour period will continue to increase water levels and flows into the Crowe River and its tributaries.  In addition, higher temperatures in the 9 - 11°C degree range on Monday will accelerate the rate of snowmelt resulting in increased water amounts entering lakes, rivers and streams.  Therefore, the FLOOD WATCH is extended with the continuing emphasis placed on the Crowe River and Beaver Creek subwatersheds. The Crowe Valley Conservation Authority flood forecasting and monitoring staff have confirmed current levels and flows will remain high and flooding can be expected in low lying areas. 

A FLOOD WATCH is issued for the entire Crowe Valley watershed.  The potential for flooding will increase as the snowmelt continues further north along with the forecasted precipitation entering into lakes, rivers and smaller tributaries.  Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should be prepared to take the necessary steps such as sandbagging to contend with potential flooding. The Crowe River and Beaver Creek will continue to rise along with all of the monitored lakes in the watershed for the next several days.

In addition to the flooding hazard, ice on lakes will continue to deteriorate, however, no ice jams causing flooding are reported at this time.  Increased flows and levels will also put additional pressure on beaver dams and could lead to unexpected failures and flash flooding causing damage to roadways.

Increased flows and water levels on lakes, rivers and their tributaries are hazardous.  Parents need to inform their children of these conditions.

THEREFORE, THE CVCA URGES EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN TO STAY AWAY FROM ALL DAMS, WEIRS, HYDRO GENERATING PLANTS, BRIDGES. SPRINGTIME CONDITIONS ON WATERCOURSES CAN EASILY CREATE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS CAUSING HARM OR DROWNING ACCIDENTS LEADING TO FATALITIES. 

STAY AWAY FROM ICE COVERED SURFACES, DITCHES AND TRIBUTARIES – WATER LEVELS AND FLOWS ARE INCREASING RAPIDLY.

CVCA staff will continue to monitor levels and flows daily and this Flood Watch will be updated daily or as conditions warrant.  If there are any questions or concerns, contact Tim Pidduck, CVCA General Manager or Neil McConkey, Water Resources Supervisor at 613-472-3137.  The CVCA includes portions of the municipalities of Trent Hills, Stirling-Rawdon, Marmora and Lake, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, North Kawartha, Wollaston, Limerick, Tudor and Cashel, Faraday and Highlands East.

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