Authority Programs

Flood Forecasting and Warning

The Catfish Creek Conservation Authority is responsible for maintaining a Flood Forecasting and Warning system throughout its watershed.

The Conservation Authority is responsible for monitoring weather, ice and watercourse conditions throughout the year and if conditions indicate a flood may be possible or imminent, the CA must notify the affected municipalities. The Conservation Authority utilizes many tools in the flood forecasting program: Internet weather forecasts and radar images, ice monitoring, channel sounding, water level gauges, precipitation and wind gauges and data loggers, visual inspections of the watershed conditions and staff experience.

The Conservation Authority will issue a flood advisory or a flood warning depending on the conditions.

Flood Advisory:
A flood advisory provides information regarding flood potential within areas of the watershed when over bank flow or high lake levels are expected. The message informs local municipalities and emergency response agencies, that flooding conditions may develop within the watershed. The message is issued before the commencement of flood conditions when circumstances may be favourable for flooding. 

These messages do not require specific action but, having been advised to the potential of flood conditions, municipal flood co-ordinators should initiate a check on their municipal flood or emergency plans, initiate monitoring of potential problem areas, and may choose to remain on a stand-by alert. Flood advisory messages may be updated depending on weather and runoff conditions, and will include wording in the message to define the date and time that the Advisory is in force. 

Flood Warnings:
A Flood Warning is a notice declaring that flooding is imminent.  A Flood Warning is issued based upon information received by the Conservation Authority's Flood Forecasting System coupled with other forecasting information sources, and is intended to provide notice to municipalities, emergency services and residents that action is required.

A Flood Advisory Message serves to notify municipal flood co-ordinators and other primary contacts that a high potential for flooding exists. A flood warning message requires an action, which may require activating the municipal emergency plan, warning residents in specific affected areas and in some cases evacuation.  A final update is usually issued stating that the flood situation has ended and the Flood Warning has been terminated.

FURTHER ...
Throughout a flood event, the Conservation Authority will continue to monitor weather, ice, and watercourse conditions, and staff of the Authority will provide technical advise to municipalities to prevent or reduce the effects of flooding. The Conservation Authority is also responsible for the provision of a flood damage assessment to the province once post flood damage has been assessed.

HAZEL'S LEGACY, a hurricane that changed our landscape forever.

2004 was the 50th anniversary of the tragic weekend when Hurricane Hazel unleashed her wrath on Southern Ontario.  To learn about the evolution of flood control in Ontario are more, visit the official website www.hurricanehazel.ca

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