Lakes could rise 10 cm a day
The rainfall warning may have ended, but Peterborough hasn’t dried out yet.
Otonabee Conservation updated its flood warning Sunday, noting that Environment Canada ended its rainfall warning for Peterborough city and county Saturday evening after days of rain, but there’s still a flood danger in the city and parts of the county, including Selwyn, Douro Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan and Cavan Monaghan, as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes and the Municipality of Trent Hills.
The calmer weather will mean a drop in water flows along the Indian and Ouse rivers, ORCA advises. As well as area tributaries of the Otonabee River, including Jackson, Sawer, Byersville, Bears, Cavan, Tompson, Riverview, Baxter, Squirrel, Ray’s and Meade creeks.
However, ORCA advises, inflows to the Kawartha Lakes from the north and west will continue to be more than the Otonabee can handle on the outflow, meaning higher water levels on Buckhorn, Chemong, Pigeon, Lower Buckhorn, Lovesick, Stoney, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes. They could see waters rising as much as 10 cm per day
Monday’s forecast calls for a high of 5C with showers and possibly flurries. Tuesday will see rain with possible flurries and a high of 8C. The rain is expected to end by Wednesday, with highs for the rest of the week ranging from 11 to 15 degrees C.
ORCA warns the public to stay away from lakes, rivers and creeks over the next few days.
An update from the city issued Saturday indicates water flows are increasing and pose a safety risk along local waterways and dams.
“Shorelines are dangerous, as they are very unstable due to ground saturation,” the updates states.
The city’s primary wastewater treatment plant was put on secondary bypass Friday, which is still the case, but the Park St. pumping station has returned to normal operations.
Anyone living downstream from the plant who draw their water from the river should continue to boil water before using it, and avoid non-essential use of water until further notice.
Peterborough Public Health issued a statement Saturday: “The good news is that wastewater entering the Otonabee River is still 99 per cent treated so with the current volumes and rate of flow there should be no significant risk to those downstream and there is no serious risk to public health,” stated Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, medical officer of health, in a media release. “However, this is still a good reminder to all residents who draw water from wells to take the necessary precautions when flooding occurs to prevent illness.”
Residents living along the river should monitor water levels and secure their docks, boats and other property close to the water.
The city also advises that residents long the water move property out of the lower levels of their homes, and to check sump pumps and backflow preventers. If possible, residents in affected areas should ensure their access to sandbags, pumps and generators from local suppliers.