Water levels on Lake Nipissing and the Ottawa River appear to be stabilizing following a rise after last weekend’s rainfall says the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority.
Both are still vulnerable to inflows and additional rainfall with 30mm of rain forecast for the next two days. That's prompted the Authority to update and extend its Flood Warning to May 27.
Lake Nipissing is currently at elevation 196.52m near North Bay and winds are currently from the east. However, they are expected to change to westerlies following tomorrow's rainfall, which may cause a surge in water levels on the eastern end of Lake Nipissing.
This may pose a threat to properties along the Lake Nipissing and Callander Bay shoreline, as well as along the lower La Vase River, particularly if there are strong winds or waves.
“The Ottawa River at Mattawa is currently at elevation 155.27m. says Kurtis Romancuk, NBMCA Duty Officer. "The level had been trending down for several days, however, the recent rainfall caused an increase in water levels which are now remaining relatively stable.”
The current forecast water level for the Ottawa River at Mattawa is 155.50m, which is approximately 23cm (9 inches) above its current level.
Information about the most current forecasted peak water levels for the Ottawa River may be found at the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website.
Information about the current status of Lake Nipissing may be found at the PWGSC website.
Updates on conditions can be found on the NBMCA website. https://www.nbmca.ca/watershed-management/flood-forecasting/spring-2019-flood-event-updates/
