SVCA issues flood watch for watershed area

The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) has issued a flood watch for the watershed area.

As of Sunday, water levels in rivers and streams throughout the watershed are within normal range for this time of year, states Shannon Wood, in a press release. This condition will change, however, in the early part of the week. Above-normal temperatures and significant rainfall are forecast, which will result in elevated watercourse flows.

Flooding in traditional low-lying areas should be expected beginning late Monday and extending into Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday’s high temperature is predicted to be six degrees Celsius, then reaching double-digits of approximately 13 degrees Celsius, Tuesday. Over those two days, heavy rainfall of about 50-70 millimetres (mm) is predicted. In addition, night time temperatures will remain above freezing, which will further accelerate the snowmelt.

Over the SVCA watershed, the water content contained within the snowpack represents approximately 50 mm of water, and this moisture will be contributing to the run-off as the snow melts.

There are some locations where ice jams have been in place for over a month. These jams may likely be moving in response to the change in weather and flow conditions. Locally, increased flooding could occur at these locations, due to obstructed flow. As these ice jams move downstream, they may become lodged again, creating localized flooding at new locations.

Municipal public works staff are advised to monitor roads, bridges, and culverts where flooding in typical areas is likely to occur, but attention should be directed particularly to sites where ice-jamming is possible.

The public is reminded to avoid rivers and streams as high flows pose a safety risk, and banks will be icy and slippery.

The SVCA will continue to monitor river flow and weather conditions. This message is in effect until Thursday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m., unless a further message is issued.