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Kettle Creek Conservation Authority

Home » Ongoing record high water levels prompts KCCA to continue the Flood Watch for the Lake Erie Shoreline

Ongoing record high water levels prompts KCCA to continue the Flood Watch for the Lake Erie Shoreline

News Release
For immediate release

St. Thomas – This notice is intended to update the public and local municipalities on the status of Lake Erie within the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority.

The KCCA advises that, due to the record high lake levels, a Flood Watch will remain in effect for all shoreline areas within the KCCA watershed. Unless superseded by a Flood Warning, this watch will remain in effect until June 30, 2020 at which time conditions will be reevaluated.

“Rain over the last few weeks have contributed to the slow rise in Lake Erie,” says Jennifer Dow, KCCA’s water conservation supervisor. “Lake Erie continues to break records as water levels are 6cm higher than the record high recorded last year. This means that the risk for flood events along the shoreline is expected to remain high into the summer months when Great Lakes water levels typically drop,” says Dow.

The greatest risk for flooding and erosion in the Kettle Creek watershed is in Port Stanley when storms bring sustained wind from the south in particular from the southwest. Typically, sustained wind speeds in the range of 50 km/hr or higher are associated with an increased risk of flooding, shoreline erosion, and damage to shoreline structures due to damaging waves and localized flooding.

With this in mind, it is always advisable to keep your eye on your local conditions and take appropriate action when necessary as storm surge can occur quickly with little warning. KCCA staff will continue to monitor Lake Erie conditions and provide updates as warranted.

For further updates, log on to www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca or connect with Kettle Creek Conservation Authority socially on Facebook and Twitter @KettleCreekCA.

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Marianne Levogiannis
Public Relations Supervisor
519-631-1270 x224

The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority issues three levels of messages:
Watershed Conditions Statement (Previously High Water Safety Bulletin): a general notice of weather conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety or which have the potential to lead to flooding.

There are two variations of these:
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety: High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors 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 (Previously Flood Advisory): Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.

Flood Warning (No change): Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.
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