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Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event Message #5)

March 17, 2025

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is extending the Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety due to elevated stream flows in the rivers.

The watershed received 15-20 mm of rain on Saturday and Sunday, along with air temperatures well above freezing. As a result of the rain and snow melt, river levels have risen and are running bank full in many locations. While cooler temperatures have returned and stream flows are receding, water levels will remain high for several days.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds, as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to ensure that dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.

This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety will remain in effect until 12:00 PM, Friday, March 21, 2025. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.

Contact Saifur Rahman, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure, at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or (519) 842-4242, Ext.265, should further information be required.

Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement:
A message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents of high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice, or other factors that could pose dangers to recreationalists, children, and pets. Flooding is not expected.

Flood Status Indicator: Water Safety Statement

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event Message #4)

March 7, 2025

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is terminating the Flood Watch message previously in effect. A Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety will remain in place for the entire watershed due to elevated stream flows and forecasted weather conditions.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds, as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to ensure that dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from snow and debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.

This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety will remain in effect until 12:00 PM, Monday, March 17, 2025. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.

Contact Paul Gagnon, Lands & Waters Supervisor at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or (519) 842-4242, Ext.232, should further information be required.

Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement:
A message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents of high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice, or other factors that could pose dangers to recreationalists, children, and pets. Flooding is not expected.

Flood Status Indicator: Water Safety Statement

Riverine Flood Watch (Event Message #3)

March 6, 2025

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is updating the Flood Watch for its entire watershed. The Flood Warning for Big Otter Creek has been downgraded to a Flood Watch.


The watershed received 15-20 mm of rain yesterday. This, combined with the melting snowpack, significantly raised water levels and moved ice in local watercourses. With the rapid drop in air temperatures overnight, the rate of snowmelt and runoff decreased abruptly. Much of the water and snow remains in the fields this morning. Stream flows in the Big Otter have crested just below flood levels and are beginning to recede. Stream flows in Big Creek crested in Delhi overnight and may continue to rise moderately in lower Big Creek today. Flood Coordinators are encouraged to continue monitoring river conditions throughout the day.


People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds, as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to ensure that dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.

This Flood Watch will remain in effect until 4:30 PM, Friday, March 7, 2025. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.


Contact Saifur Rahman, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519.842.4242, Ext.265, should further information be required.


Note:
Flood Watch: A message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipal flood coordinators, emergency services and individual landowners in flood prone areas should prepare.

Flood Status Indicator: Flood Watch

Riverine Flood Watch and Warning (Event Message #2)


The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is updating the Flood Watch for its entire watershed and upgrading the Flood Watch to a Flood Warning for Big Otter Creek in Bayham Township.

The watershed has received 15-20 mm of rain over the past 24 hours. The rain, in combination with the melting snowpack, has created significant runoff. Water levels in local watercourses are rising rapidly and will continue to rise over the next 24 hours.

ACTION: The flows in Big Otter Creek at Tillsonburg and Calton have not yet crested. If flows continue to increase at the current rate, minor flooding may occur in areas along the lower Big Otter Creek in Bayham Township, specifically in the town of Vienna. Flood coordinators should closely monitor river conditions and warn property owners in the most flood-prone areas of Vienna about the potential for flooding.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds, as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to ensure that dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.

This Combination Flood Watch and Flood Warning will remain in effect until 4:30 PM, Friday, March 7, 2025. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.

Contact Saifur Rahman, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519.842.4242, Ext.265, should further information be required.

Note: Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

Flood Status Indicator: Flood Warning

Flood Watch (Event Message #1)

March 4, 2025

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for its entire watershed area.

A series of low-pressure systems are forecast to move through the Long Point Region watershed on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing rain and temperatures well above freezing. These systems are expected to bring 20 to 30 mm of rainfall across the watershed before moving east on Thursday. The snowpack has a snow-water equivalent ranging from 27 mm in the south to 44 mm in the north end of the watershed. Above-average temperatures last week increased the density of the snowpack, and the most recent snow survey suggests the snowpack is approaching its water-holding capacity.


Melting of the existing snowpack, combined with frozen ground conditions and the forecasted rains, is expected to increase runoff and may overwhelm watercourses, leading to localized flooding in low-lying areas. While the river ice has weakened, Lake Erie remains ice-covered, and there is a possibility of ice jams where the rivers and streams enter Lake Erie.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds, as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to ensure that dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from snow and debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.


This Flood Watch will remain in effect until 4:30 PM, Friday, March 7, 2025. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.


Contact Saifur Rahman, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242, Ext. 265 should further information be required.


Note:

Flood Watch: A message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipal flood coordinators, emergency services and individual landowners in flood prone areas should prepare.

Flood Status Indicator: Flood Watch

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

December 29, 2024

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement for its entire watershed.


A Texas low-pressure system that moved into the Long Point Region watershed overnight has resulted in 13 to 21 mm of rainfall across our watershed. A total of 30 to 35 mm is forecasted by the time the system moves through on Monday. Under the forecasted conditions, riverine water levels and flows will increase. At this point in time no major flooding is expected to occur; however, localized flooding may occur in low lying areas, and regions with poor drainage.


People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers and ponds as the
combination of slippery banks and cold fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.


This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement will remain in effect until
noon, Tuesday, December 31, 2024. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.


Contact Paul Gagnon, Lands & Waters Supervisor at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-429-4899 should further information be required.


Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.

Flood Status Indicator: Water Safety Statement

Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook (Event Message #1)

December 4, 2024

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Shoreline Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction. This includes the Municipality of Bayham, Norfolk County, and western Haldimand County.

A significant weather system is forecasted to bring high winds to Lake Erie over the next 24 hours. Sustained winds of 60 km/h from the west/southwest are forecasted, with gusts reaching up to 90km/h starting this afternoon and into Thursday. These high winds may result in increased water levels due to storm surge and wave action.

Western Haldimand County may experience minor shoreline flooding, wave uprush, and increased erosion along the shoreline. Water levels at Port Colborne are forecasted to peak at 1.91 m (175.41 m IGLD) between 5:00 am and 7:00 am Thursday morning.

Bayham and Norfolk County have a lower risk of minor flooding, as water levels at Long Point are expected to peak at 1.34 m (174.84 IGLD) between 5:00 am and 7:00 am Thursday morning. Residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid areas along the Lake Erie shoreline experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas. Community flood coordinators are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore closely.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will provide updates to this message as necessary.

This Shoreline Conditions Statement is in effect until 4:00 pm Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Contact LPRCA at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 should further information be required.

Shoreline Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook: Early notice of the potential for flooding based on lake levels, weather forecasts, or other conditions that could cause a rise in Lake Erie water levels, lakeshore flooding, or erosion.

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement(Event message 1)

April 11, 2024

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement for its entire watershed.

Flood Status Indicator: Water Safety Statement


The low-pressure system that moved into the Long Point Region watershed overnight has resulted in 10 to 20 mm of rainfall across our watershed. Another 25 to 30 mm is forecasted from Thursday evening to Saturday morning. Under the forecasted conditions, riverine water levels and flows will increase. At this point in time no major flooding is expected to occur; however, localized flooding may occur in low lying areas, and regions with poor drainage.


People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.


This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement will remain in effect until noon, Sunday, April 14, 2024. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.


Contact David Proracki, Water Resources Analyst at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.


Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement:
a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety

March 8, 2024

A low-pressure system is forecast to move into Southwestern Ontario this afternoon, with predicted rainfall amounts between 10 and 15 mm tonight and an additional 25 mm Saturday afternoon and evening. The cumulative 3-day precipitation could total 40 mm.

Flood Status Indicator: Water Safety Statement


As a result of the forecast, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety. Under the forecasted conditions, riverine water levels and flows will increase. No major flooding is expected to occur; however, some watercourses may reach or exceed their banks creating localized flooding in floodplains, low-lying areas, and regions with poor drainage.


People are warned to stay away from ditches, water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents and guardians are reminded to keep children and pets away from all watercourses. Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and ice and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.


Water levels are expected to remain high into next week. Therefore, this Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is in effect until noon, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.


Contact Paul Gagnon, Lands & Waters Supervisor at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.


Note:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.

Flood Warning Terminated, Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety in effect (Event Message #5)

January 29, 2024

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is terminating the Flood Warning message previously in effect and is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all areas within its watershed.

Flood Status Indicator: Water Safety Statement

Over the last week, the LPRCA watershed received between 60 and 73 mm of rain. This precipitation combined with positive degree temperatures caused the existing snowpack (30 mm snow-water equivalency) to melt and runoff. This resulted in local watercourses, specifically the Big Otter Creek near Vienna, to spill out of their banks and flood low lying areas. Stream flows are now receding from this event but will remain elevated into the week.

People are reminded to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.

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

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

This Watershed Conditions Statement will remain in effect until noon, Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Contact David Proracki, Water Resource Analyst at (519) 842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.

NOTE:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement: a message issued by the Conservation Authority to advise municipal flood coordinators and watershed residents that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice, or other factors may develop or exist that could be dangerous for recreationalists, children, and pets. Flooding is not expected.