Message Number: 2025-02
Issued on: March 15, 2025 (7:30pm)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, Acting Flood Duty Officer
To:  This Flood Watch is issued to all Municipalities in the Grey Sauble Conservation Watershed

Message:

The snowpack across the watershed has been melting throughout the day following warmer than normal temperatures for the past 36 hours. As a result, fields and low-lying areas are experiencing significant ponding and overland runoff flow. Temperatures are forecast to remain above 10^oC until Sunday afternoon before dropping. In addition, 15 to 25 mm of rain is forecast to fall starting late Saturday night and through Sunday. Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement, as a Colorado Low system is moving across the watershed, indicating the risk of thunderstorms as the low-pressure system passes through.

Small watercourses and drainage ditches are becoming overwhelmed from the snowmelt, resulting in localized flooding situations. Larger river systems are just starting to respond and are expected to continue to rise through the night as the rainfall begins and through tomorrow. Water levels in these systems are expected to rise above typical spring runoff levels. There is the potential for unusual riverine flooding depending on the amount of rain that the watershed receives and the amount of snow still remaining. Remaining snow depth varies across the watershed, with the Wiarton and Beaver Valley areas holding the most snow as of yesterday.  

Flood watches are issued when flooding is possible along local watercourses. Landowners within known flood prone areas should monitor their situation and be prepared in case of flooding.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that during spring runoff events, potential conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety. High flows, unsafe banks, or other factors could be dangerous for residents and pets. Stay back from riverbanks and away from fast moving water.

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional flood messages as needed. Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through the Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/current-watershed-conditions/   

This Statement expires Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 at 1:00pm unless replaced by further updates. Contact:  Ian Eriksen, Acting Flood Duty Officer, i.eriksen@greysauble.on.ca, ph 548-877-0701

Message Number: 2025-01
Issued on: March 13, 2025 (1:30pm)
Issued by: Ian Eriksen, Acting Flood Duty Officer
To:  All Grey Sauble Conservation Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

The recent weather has helped reduce the snowpack over the past two weeks, but the amount of snow and water content still varies across our watersheds. The remaining snow holds between 50 mm (2”) and 125 mm (5”) of water. With the expected warmer weather this weekend, the existing snowpack will be significantly reduced through the weekend. In addition, approximately 10 to 15 mm of rain is forecast to fall on Saturday night through Sunday before temperatures drop again on Sunday night.

As the snow begins to melt, soils become saturated under the snow and additional snow melt will quickly run off into ditches, streams and rivers. Flows will increase and may exceed average/normal spring runoff levels through the weekend and into early next week. Seasonal flooding of low-lying areas will continue.   

Grey Sauble Staff have noted very little ice cover within major watercourses throughout our watersheds, thanks to the recent warm temperatures over the past two weeks. Therefore, the risk of ice jamming appears to be low at this time. We will continue to monitor and advise of any changes.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that during spring runoff events, potential conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety. High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. 

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional updates as needed.  Watershed residents can access snow, stream flow and rain gauge data through our Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/current-watershed-conditions/  

This Statement expires on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 at 1:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact:  Ian Eriksen, Acting Flood Duty Officer, i.eriksen@greysauble.on.ca, ph 548-877-0701        

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Message Number: 2024-01
Issued on: July 10, 2024 (9:00am)
Issued by: John Bittorf, Water Resources Coordinator
To:  Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

The remnants of Hurricane Beryl, now a large low-pressure system, is forecast to track across Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) watersheds starting this morning (Wednesday, July 10, 2024) and ending early Thursday morning. Forecasts are for rainfall totals up to 40-50 millimetres (mm) across much of the watersheds with some areas receiving up to 80mm. 

Current watershed conditions are normal for this time of year.  It is expected that larger streams and river flows will respond to the rainfall, but they are not anticipated to reach flood potential.  However, depending on the duration and intensity of the rainfall, localized or urban flooding could occur as small drainage systems become overwhelmed.  Residents and municipalities are encouraged to check local drainage features to ensure they are in good condition and functional.  

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional updates as needed.  Watershed residents can access stream flow and rain gauge data through our Watershed Conditions page on our website: www.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/current-watershed-conditions/

This Statement expires July 12, 2024, at 12pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact:  John Bittorf, Water Resource Coordinator, j.bittorf@greysauble.on.ca, ph: 548-877-0585 

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Message Number: 2023-02

Issued on: April 5, 2023 (1:30pm)

Issued by: John Bittorf, Water Resources Coordinator

To:  Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

Some watersheds within Grey Sauble area have already received 50mm of rain with more in the forecast. As a result, fields and low-lying areas are experiencing significant ponding and overland flow. Small watercourses and drainage ditches are becoming overwhelmed, resulting in localized flooding situations. Larger river systems are just starting to respond and are expected to continue to rise throughout the day and into the night. Levels on these systems may exceed normal spring runoff levels. However, unusual riverine flooding is not expected at this time.

Flood watches are issued when flooding is possible along local watercourses. Landowners within known flood prone areas should monitor their situation and be prepared in case of flooding.

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority would like to remind everyone that during spring runoff events, potential conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety. High flows, unsafe banks, or other factors could be dangerous for residents and pets. Stay back from riverbanks and away from fast moving water. 

Grey Sauble staff will continue to monitor the weather and the flows and provide additional updates as needed.  Watershed residents can access stream flow and rain gauge data through our Watershed Conditions page on our website (http://www.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/current-watershedconditions/).

This Statement expires April 8^th at 12pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact:  John Bittorf, Water Resource Coordinator, j.bittorf@greysauble.on.ca, 519-376-3076   

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