Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement (Event Message #1)

Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all areas within its watersheds.

Remnants of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Pamela are expected to travel over southwestern and central Ontario over the next 3 days, bringing widespread rainfall with the potential for embedded thunderstorms.

Rainfall is expected to begin Thursday through the day, starting in the southwest and progressing northwesterly with expected precipitation accumulations of 10 – 20 mm.
The storm will then track northeastward reaching the Great Lakes region on Friday with expected precipitation amounts of 20-30mm with locally heavier amounts of 30-50 mm or more possible.

Due to recent rainfall in the LPRCA watershed, river systems will be moderately responsive to additional rainfall. Rainfall and thunderstorms in the forecast could result in localized high-water conditions through the river system.

Sustained winds from the west-south-west will accompany this system and may induce storm surge and wave conditions on Lake Erie late Friday into Saturday.

As always, the public is reminded to exercise caution around all local waterways, especially as flows and levels are elevated. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are reminded to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses.

Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if safe to do so.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.

This water safety statement is in effect until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 18.