Category: News Releases
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement [Event Message 1]
July 29, 2023On July 29th a slow moving weather system crossed the entirety of the Long Point Region Watershed resulting in 30-65mm in localized rainfall. Port Rowan, Long Point and Vienna have received a significant volume of rainfall throughout the morning. While flooding is not expected, periods of heavy rainfall can also cause flows in rivers and streams to increase quickly without any warning. Due to the volume of rainfall, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement –Water Safety Statement.
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 ice and functioning properly, if the work can be done safely.
Water levels are expected to remain high for the weekend. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Therefore, this Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Statement is in effect until noon, Monday, July 31, 2023. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Brady Baker, Development Technician 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 that unsafe lake, river and channel conditions may develop or exist.
Flood Warning Terminated, Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety in effect (Event Message #3)
April 5, 2023The 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.
Over the last week the LPRCA watershed received between 62 and 80 mm of rain causing local watercourses to spill over their banks flooding low lying areas. Stream flows are now receding from this event but will remain elevated into the weekend.
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 functioning properly, 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, Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Contact Dave Proracki, Water Resource Analyst at (519) 842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
Riverine Flood Warning Update [ Event Message #2 ]
April 3, 2023The LPRCA is extending the Flood Warning for all areas within its watershed
Water levels in watercourses across LPRCA generally remain high and are running swiftly, and in many cases are still running out of their banks and flooding low-lying areas. Most watercourses appear to have peaked, however the lower parts of Big Creek have been observed to still be rising.
In Tillsonburg, Big Otter Creek has now declined by about 1.60 m since its peak Saturday night. Big Otter Creek is running close to bank-full and flooding low lying areas. The Big Otter Creek in Vienna peaked at 93.8 m³/s Sunday night, and has declined 40 cm in height, but is still very high and flooding low lying areas.
Forecasts suggest the possibility of 15-20 mm of rain Monday evening/overnight, 5-10 mm Tuesday and 10 mm Wednesday with above seasonal temperatures.
Action: Areas along the Big Otter Creek, specifically the town of Vienna, may experience flooding due to high flows. Given Vienna’s vulnerability to flooding, Flood Coordinators should warn property owners in the most flood-prone areas of Vienna of the potential for flooding.
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 functioning properly, if safe to do so.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Therefore, this Flood Warning remains in effect until noon, Friday, April 7, 2023.
Contact Paul Gagnon, 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Watch termination – Shoreline Flood Message # 2
April 2, 2023The flood watch message for the Lake Erie shoreline is now terminated.
Lake levels have declined sufficiently that a flood watch message is no longer necessary.
Present forecasts are calling for diminishing winds out of the southeast today. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
For more information, contact Paul Gagnon, 519-842-4242 ext. 232.
Lake Erie Shoreline Flood Watch [ Shoreline Flood Message #1 ]
April 1, 2023Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for the shoreline within the LPRCA watershed.
A strong low-pressure system is moving through the LPRCA watershed. This system is expected to bring strong west/southwest winds which are expected to affect Lake Erie starting this afternoon. Wind speed is forecasted to reach 45 km/hr with potential gusts up to 70 km/hr, peaking this evening. As the system moves eastward overnight the winds will turn northwest and begin to dissipate.
For the eastern end of Lake Erie, a moderate storm surge is forecasted, with water levels at Port Colborne expected to peak around 2.16 m above chart datum over the next 24 hours. Water levels in Long Point are expected to peak around 1.58 m above chart datum over the next 24 hours. The Lake Erie shoreline wave height is predicted to be 1.76 m for the eastern watershed and 1.97 m for the central watershed during this event.
Residents are urged to use caution and stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas. A close watch on local weather conditions is recommended.
The Haldimand County Flood Coordinator should be prepared to warn affected residents and businesses in Lake Erie Flood Zone 1, along the lakeshore and to monitor roads along the lakeshore and implement closures as necessary. The public is advised to familiarize themselves with flood warning zone mapping available on Haldimand County’s website.
Water levels are expected to remain high until Sunday morning, therefore, this Flood Watch is in effect until 8:00 am, Sunday, April 2nd, 2023.
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.
Riverine Flood Warning [ Event Message #1 ]
Due to recent precipitation over the past 24 hours, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Riverine Flood Warning for all areas within its watershed.
Flooding is currently occurring along area watercourses and the forecast is calling for an additional 5 mm in the next 12 hours. Water levels are expected to continue to rise in area watercourses for the next 24 hours.
Action: Areas along the Big Otter Creek, specifically the town of Vienna, may experience flooding due to high flows. Given Vienna’s vulnerability to flooding, Flood Coordinators should warn property owners in the most flood-prone areas of Vienna of the potential for flooding.
People are warned 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 functioning properly, if safe to do so.
Water levels are expected to remain high for the next 48 hours. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Therefore, this Flood Warning is in effect until noon, Monday, April 3, 2023.
Contact Paul Gagnon, 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
Shoreline Flood Watch Termination [ Flood Message # 2 ]
March 26, 2023The flood watch message for the Haldimand County is now terminated.
Lake levels have declined sufficiently that a flood watch message is no longer necessary.
Present forecasts are calling for diminishing winds out of the west on Sunday. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
For more information, contact Brady Baker, 519-842-4242 ext. 265.
Shoreline Flood Watch [ Flood Message #1 ]
March 24, 2023Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for the Haldimand County shoreline and a Shoreline Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook for the remaining areas along the shoreline within the LPRCA watershed.
A significant weather system is forecast to bring high winds to the Lower Great Lakes Region tomorrow Saturday, March 25, 2023. Areas along Lake Erie will see winds from the east and southeast at 44 km/hour up until early afternoon on Saturday before changing directions to the southwest early evening. Winds from the southwest are expected to reach 62 km/hr with gusts up to 92 km/hr before slowly diminishing into Sunday morning. Forecast winds across Lake Erie will result in increased water levels due to storm surge and wave heights, with the potential to reach local flood thresholds in Haldimand County. This may result in minor shoreline flooding, wave uprush and increased erosion across the area.
For the eastern end of Lake Erie, a moderate storm surge is forecasted, with water levels at Port Colborne expected to peak around 2.1 m above chart datum over the next 24 hours. Water levels in Long Point are expected to peak around 1.67m above chart datum over the next 24 hours. The Lake Erie shoreline wave height is predicted to be slightly over 1.5 m for the eastern watershed while the central watershed will have waves ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 m during this event.
Residents are urged to use caution and stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas. A close watch on local weather conditions is recommended.
The Haldimand County Flood Coordinator should be prepared to warn affected residents and businesses in Lake Erie Flood Zone 1, along the lakeshore and to monitor roads along the lakeshore and implement closures as necessary. The public is advised to familiarize themselves with flood warning zone mapping available on Haldimand County’s website.
Community flood coordinators in other jurisdictions are asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and will update this message as necessary.
This Flood Watch is in effect until 8:00 am Sunday, March 26, 2023. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Brady Baker, 519-842-4242 ext. 265, should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Riverine Flood Outlook [ Flood Message #1 ]
March 22, 2023The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Riverine Flood Outlook for all areas within its watershed.
A strong low-pressure system is expected to move into the province this evening. Precipitation across southern Ontario is forecast to reach 15 – 20 mm today with an additional 15 – 25 mm on Saturday. Additionally, above-freezing daytime air temperatures, as high as +10°C, are forecast for southern Ontario over the next four days. A moderate snowpack, ranging from 0 – 6.9 cm has been recorded throughout the watershed.
The above-freezing temperatures with added rain will result in the snowpack becoming saturated with water. It is expected that the entire snowpack will melt and release water which will create a potential for flooding in flood prone areas through the week into the weekend.
Members of the public 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 functioning properly – if it is safe to do so.
Water levels are expected to remain high for several days. Therefore, this Flood Outlook is in effect until Tuesday, March 28, 2023. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
Contact David Proracki, 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.
Shoreline Conditions Statement – Water Safety Message [ Lake Flood Message #1 ]
March 17, 2023Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Water Safety Statement for the Lake Erie Shoreline.
A strong low-pressure system has begun to move into the LPRCA watershed. This system is expected to bring strong
southwesterly winds which are expected to affect Lake Erie starting this afternoon. Wind speed is forecasted to reach
45 km/hr with potential gusts up to 70 km/hr, peaking this evening. As the system moves eastward on Saturday the
winds will begin to dissipate.
Shorelines across Lake Erie will result in increased water levels due to storm surge and wave heights. Due to the
forecast of strong southwesterly winds, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Shoreline
Conditions Statement –Water Safety Statement. This may result in minor shoreline flooding, wave uprush, and
increased erosion along the Lake Erie shoreline. LPRCA does not anticipate that the combined water level and wave
height will exceed local flood thresholds.
The public is asked to stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline due to strong wave action and elevated water levels.
Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.
Water levels are expected to remain high until Saturday morning therefore, this Shoreline Conditions Statement –
Water Safety Statement is in effect until 8:00 am, Saturday, March 18th, 2023.
LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact David Proracki, Water Resource Analyst at lprca.floodmessage@lprca.on.ca or 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should
further information be required.