Friday, May 20, 2022 1:00 PM
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry – Kenora District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect in the District until Friday, June 03, 2022.
Residents in Kenora, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls and surrounding areas throughout the district should exercise extreme caution around less travelled roads, bridges, water-crossings, lakes, rivers, and areas of high runoff potential, as water levels in portions of the district are extremely high. Water levels may continue to rise throughout the week due to record-setting precipitation received during the month of April, combined with runoff from melting snow, as temperatures increase over the course of the coming week.
The Ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Current Conditions
Exceptionally high levels of precipitation during the months of April and early May, combined with melting snow, have resulted in high stream flow conditions. Much of Kenora District is already experiencing flooding in several locations. Outflows from Lake of the Woods will continue to increase this week as flows from Fort Frances District and portions of northern Minnesota that drain into the Winnipeg River drainage system move north. Water levels on the Winnipeg River in particular are expected to rise significantly over the course of this week.
Additionally, outflows from Wabigoon Lake and Lac Seul are expected to increase which may result in localized flooding on the Wabigoon and English Rivers.
DEFINITIONS
- WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
- WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high
- winds or other conditions
- SHORELINE CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that along the Great Lakes shorelines high water, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous but flooding is not expected.
- SHORELINE CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding along the Great Lakes shorelines based on weather and lake conditions, and water safety information.
- FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
- FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
LEARN MORE
- Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage: www.ontario.ca/page/surface-water-monitoring-centre
- Environment Canada bulletins: www. weather.gc.ca
- Lake of the Woods Control Board webpage: https://www.lwcb.ca
- International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board webpage: https://ijc.org/en/rlwwb
- A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended.
Erik Lockhart, Kenora District Office, (807) 456-2695 ontario.ca/ndmnrf