Category: News Releases
Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook (Event Message #1)
January 8, 2020Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook for all areas within its watersheds.
Current rain forecasts are calling for 50 to 95mm of rain over Friday and Saturday with the bulk of it falling this Saturday. The Western watersheds (which includes Norwich. Tillsonburg, Bayham, and Delhi) are expecting 60 to 95mm over 48 hours while the Central/Eastern watersheds (Simcoe, Waterford, Port Dover, Haldimand) are expecting 50 to 65mm over 48 hours. It is expected that rain and above zero temperatures will melt the existing snowpack by Friday.
The forecasted conditions will lead to watercourses rising throughout the LPRCA with the potential to flood low lying areas if the higher range of rainfall occurs.
People are warned to stay away from ditches, frozen water bodies, 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 all of these areas.
Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catchbasins are free from debris and functioning properly.
Water levels are expected to remain elevated for several days in response to this event. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Outlook is in effect until 12:00 PM, Monday, January 13, 2020.
Contact Craig Jacques at (519) 842-4242 x265 or by cell at 519-429-2738. should further information be required.
Lake Erie shoreline Flood Warning terminated, Flood Outlook reinstated
November 28, 2019Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) has terminated the November 27 Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline and reinstated the standing Flood Outlook. Wind speeds and the resulting wave action have slowed but Lake Erie water levels are still high.
Though the wind and waves have slowed, low-lying shorelines, lakeshore bluffs and river mouth areas may still be experiencing standing water, erosion, property damage and other effects from the overnight flooding.
LPRCA encourages everyone to stay up to date on municipal messaging and avoid shoreline, bluffs and river mouth areas that may be slippery or experiencing erosion as a result of the flooding. Extra care should be taken to ensure that children and pets are kept away from these hazardous areas.
Lake Erie’s water levels are likely to remain high over the coming months. High water levels increase the likelihood that wind-driven flooding events may occurs. The fall and winter months are typically when the lakeshore experiences strong winds, so chances of additional flooding throughout the next month are high.
Due to these conditions, LPRCA is reinstating the previously issued Watershed Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook for all Lake Erie shoreline areas within its jurisdiction. Long Point Region Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will update this flood message as necessary.
LPRCA issues Flood Warning for Lake Erie Shoreline
November 27, 2019Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is upgrading the November 26 Flood Watch into a Flood Warning. Strong southwesterly winds gusting up to 100 kilometers per hour are forecast to develop during the afternoon and continue into the evening. As a result of the wind, water levels along the Lake Erie shoreline are expected to rise quickly mid-day today, peaking in the early evening at levels similar to those in late October.
Water levels in Lake Erie have been very high, which increases the risk of flooding and erosion when the wind picks up. Caution should be taken around Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing raised water levels and strong waves. Extra caution should be taken to ensure that children and pets stay away from such areas.
The Flood Warning is in effect until noon on Thursday, November 28 or until an update is issued. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates.
LPRCA terminates Flood Warning for Lake Erie shoreline, reinstates Flood Outlook
November 1, 2019Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) has terminated the Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline and reinstated the standing Lake Erie Flood Outlook. As the heavy winds from last night have slowed, water levels and wave action in Lake Erie have dropped.
Though the wave action and water levels seen last night have calmed, standing water, erosion, property damage and other impacts from the strong wind, high water and waves overnight continue to affect low-lying shorelines, lakeshore bluffs and some river mouth areas. LPRCA reminds everyone to take heed of municipal messaging and stay away from affected shoreline, bluffs and river mouth areas due to erosion, instability and other damage that has occurred from the recent flooding. Parents are especially reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas due to slippery or unstable banks, cold water and other hazards.
Water levels in Lake Erie are expected to remain very high over the coming months. High static water levels increase the risk of flooding when moderate to severe wind-driven surge events occur. The season when high lakeshore surge events typically occur is just beginning and there is strong potential for further damaging lakeshore flood events over the coming months.
Due to these conditions, LPRCA is reinstating the previously issued Watershed Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook for all Lake Erie shoreline areas within its jurisdiction. Long Point Region Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will update this flood message as necessary.
LPRCA issues Flood Warning for Lake Erie shoreline
October 31, 2019Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Warning for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within LPRCA jurisdiction. The forecasted lake surge and wave heights are predicted to be higher than the waves and water levels seen last Sunday, October 27. If the forecasted levels are reached, flooding can be expected in low-lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Water levels are expected to peak between 10:00 p.m. Thursday, October 31 and 2:00 a.m. Friday, November 1. Municipal flood coordinators have been asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore and warn residents and businesses in very low-lying areas along the lakeshore.
Environment Canada is forecasting south-western winds reaching speeds of 70 km/h or higher, as well as gusts reaching 90 km/h or higher. These wind speeds are expected to occur this evening and continue into early Friday morning.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting water levels in Port Colborne to rise 1.4 meters above the current level to an elevation of 176.0 meters (IGLD) and Long Point water levels to rise 0.9 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.5 meters (IGLD). The anticipated strong winds are expected to cause waves reaching up to 1.8 meters in the Port Colborne area and up to 3.4 meters in the Long Point area.
This Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until noon, Friday, November 1, 2019. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
October 30, 2019Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Environment Canada is expecting up to 37 km/h winds from the northeast this afternoon, diminishing to 19 km/h southeast overnight and south Thursday morning. Winds are expected to increase to 28 km/h southwest by noon Thursday, and further increase to 65 km/h southwest Thursday evening.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Port Colborne to rise 1.1 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.7 meters (IGLD) and Long Point to rise 0.5 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.2 meters (IGLD). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 1.7 meters in the Port Colborne area and up to 2.5 meters in the Long Point area. The forecasted lake surge and wave heights are similar in magnitude to what occurred during this past Sunday’s event.
Lake levels are expected to begin to rise early Thursday afternoon, and peak between 8:00 PM and midnight late Thursday evening. If this surge level is reached, flooding can be expected in low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the conditions and stand by for further information. People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Watch is in effect until noon, Friday, November 1, 2019.
Contact Matt Churly 519-427-4423 should further information be required.
Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
October 26, 2019Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Environment Canada is expecting 30 to 50 km/h winds from the southwest and west, with gusts of 80 km/h to develop over night and into Sunday morning in the wake of an intense low pressure system. Winds will diminish Sunday evening and overnight into Monday.
Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is predicting a 1.72 meter rise above chart datum (173.5 m) at Long Point.
Lake levels are expected to begin to rise Sunday morning and peak around 5 pm. If this surge level is reached, flooding can be expected in low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline
Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the conditions and stand by for further information.
People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Watch is in effect until noon, Monday, October 28, 2019.
Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-429-4899 should further information be required.
LPRCA to host Public Information Centres on Hazard Mapping and Risk Assessment project
October 14, 2019Upcoming sessions will share project information and gather feedback
Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA), in partnership with local municipalities, has initiated a project to update and create new flood hazard mapping, with a focus on flood-vulnerable communities in the Long Point Region watershed. The project also involves taking inventory of at-risk infrastructure and estimating damage potential to update municipal risk assessment information.
Flood hazard mapping identifies regions that are particularly prone to flooding and erosion, data that helps with land use planning and permitting decisions, flood-related emergency response and mitigation planning. These maps are created using computer modeling and information gathered in the field. The project will be completed by early 2020.
To answer questions about the project, share project information, receive feedback and gather public knowledge of local conditions, LPRCA will be hosting Public Information Centres (PICs). An initial set of PICs will be held to introduce the project and receive feedback, with a second round of PICs held towards the end of the project where results and draft hazard maps will be shared.
The PICs will focus primarily on their respective study areas and will not have formal presentations, instead taking an open house format with staff from LPRCA, local municipalities and Wood, Environment & Infrastructure Solutions present to answer questions.
The PIC dates and locations are as follows:
Tillsonburg
WHEN: Tuesday, November 26, 2019, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. WHERE: LPRCA Administration Office, 4 Elm Street, Tillsonburg STUDY AREAS: Tillsonburg, Norwich
Simcoe
WHEN: Wednesday, November 27, 2019, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. WHERE: Simcoe Recreation Centre, Norfolk Room, 182 South Drive, Simcoe STUDY AREAS: Cultus, Gilbertville, Waterford, Simcoe, Port Dover, Jarvis, Garnet
Vienna
WHEN: Thursday, November 28, 2019 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. WHERE: Vienna Community Centre, 26 Fulton Street, Vienna STUDY AREAS: Port Burwell, Vienna
Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook – Lake Erie
October 8, 2019LPRCA adjusts Lake Erie Flood Watch to a Flood Outlook
Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Outlook for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline to bring attention to Lake Erie’s high static water levels and the possibility of flooding during the fall and winter months.
The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum from October 3, 2019 reports that:
Lake Erie’s September monthly mean water levels were 69 cm above average, a new record high for the month.
Lake Erie fell 12 cm last month, more than its average September decline of 9 cm.
At the beginning of October, Lake Erie’s level was 69 cm above average, 20 cm higher than last year and 7 cm below the record high beginning-of-October level set in 1986.
In the Long Point Region watershed, Lake Erie’s current static water level (calm) is 174.78 m. While water supplies in the Great Lakes were higher than average over the last three months, they were lower than levels measured in the previous three-month period. Assuming average water supply conditions, Lake Erie’s water level is expected to continue dropping in October.
With above-average water levels and the possibility of strong southwest winds typical of the fall and winter months, there is an increased risk of both wave-driven erosion along the shoreline and flooding from lake surges and wave uprush.
Community flood coordinators and the public are advised to monitor weather conditions, especially strong Southwest winds. People are urged to use caution and stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline during times of strong wave action and elevated water levels.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will provide updates as necessary.
This Flood Outlook is in effect until Further Notice.
Contact Matt Churly at 519-842-4242 ext. 226 for more information.
LPRCA Updating Flooding and Erosion Mapping
May 31, 2019Tillsonburg, Ontario – May 31, 2019 – The Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is undertaking two flood hazard mapping projects under the federal National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP). These projects will update and create new riverine flood hazard mapping along 91 km of watercourses and flood & erosion hazard mapping along Lake Erie shoreline in Norfolk County. Accurate mapping is required and critical to minimizing the risk to life and property, supporting flood emergency response, planning for long-term mitigation measures and supporting land use and development planning.
New and updated watercourse flood hazard mapping will focus on the most flood vulnerable communities within the watershed. Communities included in the riverine flood hazard mapping project include Vienna, Port Burwell, Tillsonburg, Norwich, Cultus, Gilbertville, Simcoe, Port Dover, Waterford, Jarvis and Garnett. Public engagement is a critical component of the project and will include two sessions of Public Information Centres (PICs). Further details of the project can be found in the Notice of Commencement (PDF 260KB).
Along the Lake Erie shoreline in Norfolk County, flood & erosion hazard mapping will be updated. There will be opportunity to provide comments and input into this project at the first PIC on June 22, 2019 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the St. Williams Community Centre, 80 Queen Street West, St. Williams. Further details of the project and PIC can be found in the Notice of Commencement (PDF 280KB).
To submit a comment or question, receive additional information related to the Projects, or advise of accessibility requirements to participate in the Projects, please contact:
Ben Hodi, M.A.Sc.
Project Manager
Long Point Region Conservation Authority
Tel: 519-842-4242 ext. 264
Email: bhodi@lprca.on.ca