For Immediate Release
Water Safety, Watershed Condition Statement for Residents of Catfish Creek Watershed
Issued on January 23, 2019 at 6:30 a.m.
Issued by: Peter Dragunas, Water Management Technician
Catfish Creek Conservation Authority
(519) 773-9037
This is a Water Safety, Watershed Conditions Statement indicating that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for users such as anglers, boaters, swimmers, children or pets. Flooding is not expected.
Forecast is for mixed precipitation (mostly rain) in the range of 15 to 25 mm of cumulative rainfall for Wednesday and into Wednesday evening.
Effective immediately, the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority is issuing a Water Safety, Watershed Conditions Statement for flood prone low-lying areas adjacent to watercourses within the Catfish Creek watershed and its tributaries. At present stream flow and water levels are about average within the Catfish Creek watershed. The snowpack is saturated abd the ground could still be frozen in areas of the watershed these areas may have limited ability to absorb any excess rainfall that is forecast in the next 24 hours. As a result infiltration of the forecast rainfall may be limited and runoff has the potential to keep water levels elevated within the watershed. No major flooding is expected at this time but water levels may rise and may continue to remain higher during this forecast period. Due to these increased adverse weather conditions there is a potential for higher water flows resulting in unsafe channel bank conditions and other unpredictable dangers around waterways within the Catfish Creek watershed. Anglers, boaters, children, pets and people intending to undertake any recreational activities around watercourses need to abstain from these areas during 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 functioning as intended during high water situations.
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 Conditions Statement will remain in effect until Friday January 25th and will be adjusted accordingly if warranted or otherwise expire. Residents are asked to closely watch local conditions and take appropriate responsible action. Updates will be made available if conditions warrant.