Watershed Conditions

The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority monitors weather information, river flows, snow pack and ice conditions in order to predict when floods will occur and how high the water may rise. Kettle Creek Conservation Authority is responsible for issuing flood warnings to watershed residents when conditions suggest that a flood is imminent. The Authority utilizes state of the art technology to assist the KCCA staff in providing as much lead-time and accuracy as possible to affected municipalities to act if required under their own Municipal Emergency Plan and the Provincial Emergency Measures Act.

As a result of a review of flood message terminology, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority and Conservation Authorities across the province are introducing some changes effective February 2012. These changes will ensure that Conservation Authorities use consistent terminology in line with that used by other agencies such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada and the Weather Network.

KCCA Flood Terminology Flyer (pdf)

Worried about flooding?
Have flood messages sent directly to your email or use Twitter to follow our feed @KettleCreekCA.

Types of messages
The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority issues four types of messages, depending on conditions:

1.       Normal
2.       Watershed Conditions Statement  (with two variations: “Water Safety” and “Flood Outlook”)
3.       Flood Watch
4.       Flood Warning

Flood Messages and What They Mean

Normal: No flood conditions exist

Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety
High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.

Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook
Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.

Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.

Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

Print