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For Immediate Release
Water Safety, Watershed Condition Statement for Residents of the Catfish Creek Conservation Authorities Administrative Area
Issued on March 13, 2023 at 8:50 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, or other factors could be dangerous for any recreation around waterways, including children and pets. Flooding is not expected at this time.
Effective immediately, the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority (CCCA) 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 marginally below the seasonal average within the Catfish Creek watershed.
The long-term forecast is for increasing daytime temperatures interspersed with several days of rain, which may be heavy at times. The partially frozen ground has a reduced capacity to absorb this snowmelt / forecast rain.
There remains a probability that infiltration of the forecast rainfall and snowmelt may be limited in some areas and the subsequent associated runoff has the potential to quickly elevate water levels within the watershed with some localized ponding in poorly drained areas is expected.
Creek and tributary water levels are expected to fluctuate considerably during this long-term forecast of sporadic rain and spring snowmelt. Due to these long-term weather forecast conditions of potentially higher water levels and snowmelt will result in unsafe channel bank conditions, along with other unpredictable dangers around waterways within the CCCA administrative area. Children, pets and people intending to undertake any recreational activities around watercourses need to abstain from these areas during this time.
The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution near all bodies of water, and to keep children and pets 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 circumstances.
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.
At present this Water Safety, Watershed Conditions Statement will remain in effect until 8:00 a.m. Monday March 27th. Residents are asked to closely watch local conditions and take appropriate responsible action. Updates will be made available when and if conditions warrant.