The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has extended the North Bay District flood warning until Friday, as lake levels continue to rise.
The next significant weather system affecting North Bay will move into the area, tomorrow and Thursday, bringing significant rainfall, with embedded thunderstorms likely.
Rainfall amounts of 10-15 mm over the southern half of the district are expected, however, localized rainfall accumulations of 10-25 mm or more are possible with the thunderstorms.
North Bay has received substantial precipitation over the past several weeks and the combination of repeated rainfall and snowmelt has resulted in water levels and stream flows across the district rising significantly, reaching or exceeding flood levels in many areas. Winds this afternoon are blowing from the west, which will increase the flooding potential of North Bay shorelines.
Areas to the south with little to no snow pack are likely to see a continuation of levels or a slight increase in water levels. Areas to the north where snow pack remains, are likely to see a return to increasing water levels as temperature accompanied by rainfall continue to melt remaining snow.
Lake Nipissing water levels currently sit at 196.32 m which is above the Maximum ‘NonDamage’ Water Level of 196.22. Lake levels are expected to reach or exceed 196.40 m in the next week
Lake Temiskaming and the Ottawa River system are expected to be affected by significant rainfall combined with continued snow melt on the Ottawa River watershed. Water levels on Lake Temiskaming currently sit at 179.30 m and are expected to reach the maximum level of 179.56 m in the coming days. Water levels along the Ottawa River will see an increased rate of flow well above normal conditions.
Localized flooding has been reported in much of the southern portion of the District, which includes the Tomiko River, Sturgeon River, Upper French River, Mattawa River, Pickerel River, Wolf River, Restoule River, South River as well as creeks and streams that flow into them.