Flood Forecasting and Warning

Flooding is an inevitable natural process. While the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA), through its planning and regulations program, limits the number and type of structures built in the flood plain, flooding in developed areas still occurs.

Therefore, KCCA operates a Flood Forecasting and Warning System to provide municipalities and residents with accurate advanced warning of possible high water levels and flood events.

The information KCCA uses to monitor changing watershed conditions comes from a variety of sources including, but not limited to:
• A network of stream gauges, rain gauges and dataloggers;
• Snow course surveys;
• Stream flow discharge measurements;
• The Ministry of Natural Resources messages, and
• Field observations.

KCCA is responsible for issuing flood warnings. The municipalities are then responsible for responding and providing assistance to residents as required according to their own Municipal Emergency Plan.

There are four types of flood messages:
• Watershed Conditions Bulletins – notifies of anticipated watershed conditions
• Flood Safety Bulletin: KCCA is tracking weather conditions to assess the potential for flooding. Rivers, streams and ponds may be unsafe for recreational and other activities.
• Flood Advisory: Flooding is possible. Municipalities and individuals should prepare.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or is about to occur. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations. The warning may include forecasts of how high the water will rise and the time of the peak.

In addition to riverine flooding(high creek levels), the Authority issues notices for damage which may occur due to lake level surge along Lake Erie shoreline in Port Stanley.

KCCA staff distribute flood messages to the local media, affected municpalities and emergency personnel. Regular updates are also available on KCCA’s web site.

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