Potential for minor flooding in low-lying areas: Otonabee Conservation

Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) has issued a water safety bulletin for its watershed — an area that includes most of Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough.

The forecast is calling for 15 mm of rain by Thursday night for the area, while the feeder lakes to the north of the watershed will receive 20 mm.

“When you’ve got frozen ground that can’t absorb the rain or runoff, it will sit in ponds and pools and cause creeks and culverts to flow fast,” said Dan Marinigh, CAO of ORCA.

“The edges around those culverts is unsafe and unstable.  People need to be careful to not fall in.”

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ORCA is not forecasting any overland flooding at this point, but that can change.

“We’re not expecting it at this point,” added Marinigh.  “The normal stream beds will be full.  There will be ponding; storm traps might back up onto roads.”

The forecast temperature is set to rise through Thursday before dropping below zero Friday night.

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Police are advising everyone to stay off the ice.

“The lakes and rivers are thawing.  With the winter we had, the ice depth has been fluctuating this whole time,” said Const. Joe Ayotte of Peterborough County OPP.  “We’re telling everyone to just stay off of it.”

ORCA will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates throughout the week.

The water safety bulletin is in effect until Saturday.