CATFISH CREEK CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
WATER SAFETY
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

Water Safety, Watershed Condition Statement for Residents of Catfish Creek Watershed

Issued on December 28, 2025, at 10:15 A.M.

Issued by: Peter Dragunas, Water Management Technician
Catfish Creek Conservation Authority
(519) 773-9037

This is a Water Safety, Watershed Condition Statement indicating that high flows, unsafe banks, melting snow or other factors could be dangerous for waterway recreators. Flooding is not expected at this time.

Effective immediately, the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority is issuing a Water Safety, Watershed Conditions Statement for flood prone low-lying areas adjacent to watercourses for the Catfish Creek watershed and its tributaries. At present stream, flow and water levels are at seasonal average within the Catfish Creek watershed. Environment Canada has issued a Yellow Rain Fall Warning indicating a high impact level.  Rain, heavy at times is expected. Total rain and freezing rain amounts 30 to 60 mm with locally up to 50 mm possible. Rain will begin this morning and become heavy at times through the afternoon and evening. Precipitation may begin as freezing rain briefly before changing over to rain with little ice accretion expected. The rain will end overnight.

If sufficient rain falls, the remaining snowpack has no potential to absorb any of the forecast rain.  The remaining snowpack along with the frozen rain on the ground has the possibility to contribute another estimated 12mm of water for runoff.

Existing frozen ground coverage remains intermittent throughout the watershed and is dependent on surrounding environmental conditions thereby having some ability to facilitate absorption of the forecast rain in the non-frozen areas. As a result, infiltration of the forecast snowmelt/rainfall will be site conditional. Any potential runoff may have the capacity to progressively elevate water levels within the watershed.

Due to these increased adverse weather conditions, there is a capacity for higher water and possible ice flows resulting in unsafe channel bank conditions and other unpredictable dangers around waterways. People intending to undertake any recreational activities around watercourses need to abstain from these areas under these conditions. The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution near open bodies of water, and to keep children away from waterways during times of increased water flow. Landowners are advised to check dams, culverts, and catch basins and make sure they are free from debris and function as intended during elevated water conditions.

CCCA will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will issue updates and recommendations, as necessary. CCCA always recommends taking any necessary precautions to minimize the results of flood impacts of the Catfish Creek and its tributaries.

This Watershed Condition Statement is in effect until 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, Dec 30th and will be adjusted accordingly if called for or otherwise expire. Residents are asked to closely watch local conditions and take responsible action. Updates will be made available when and if conditions warrant.