RECENT NEWS

Message Number: 2025-04
Issued on: March 31, 2025 (3:30 pm)
Issued by: John Bittorf, Flood Duty Officer

To:  Beaver River Watershed Municipalities and Media

Message:

Over the past three days, the Beaver Valley area has received 50 to 60 mm of rainfall in some areas. Also, there continues to be snowmelt contributing additional runoff. This has led to significant flow along the Beaver River similar to what was seen a couple weeks ago.

Due to the high water levels in Lake Eugenia, resulting from significant spring melt and the recent rain event, it has now become necessary for Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to release additional water from the Lake, in preparation for another rain event which is forecast for Wednesday. This release is required due to higher than normal runoff and the multiple rain events that we are experiencing this spring.

Levels along the Beaver River system are expected to exceed normal spring runoff levels. There is the potential for riverine flooding and the potential for bridges to be flooded and access restricted in some areas.   

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 Friday, April 4, 2025 at 12pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact:  John Bittorf, Flood Duty Officer, j.bittorf@greysauble.on.ca, ph 548-877-0585   

Message Number: 2025-03
Issued on: March 27, 2025 (1:30pm)
Issued by: John Bittorf, Water Resource Coordinator

To: Watershed Municipalities and Watershed Media

Message:

Grey Sauble staff are watching two weather systems that will affect our area over the weekend. The first will move through late Friday night and into Saturday. Rainfall will be widespread with some areas receiving freezing rain that may accumulate. The second system is very similar and will move through early Sunday morning. Total rainfall is expected to be 50-60mm. With the soils already saturated, there is potential for smaller drainage features to respond quickly to the rainfall. Some of our larger river systems have not completely recovered from the recent runoff we saw earlier this month. The larger watersheds will respond but we don’t expect them to reach levels already seen this spring. No major flooding is expected at this time, but watercourses may reach or exceed their banks. Seasonal flooding of low-lying and poorly drained areas is expected. The remaining snowpack is restricted to woodlots, heavily drifted areas, and snowbanks. It will continue to reduce and may contribute to some of the runoff. Our river systems are clear of ice cover and should not be at risk to ice jamming. 

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 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 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 April 1st, 2025 at 12:00pm unless replaced by further updates.

Contact: John Bittorf, Water Resource Coordinator, j.bittorf@greysauble.on.ca 

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