WEST CARLETON — The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is reporting the Carp River has peaked and the Mississippi River will peak sometime next week.

Although there is a flood warning in effect for Dalhousie Lake near McDonald’s Corners.

“Flows within the Indian and Carp rivers have both peaked and are currently dropping,” MVCA water resources technologist Jennifer North released in a statement today (March 31). “No significant flood damage is expected along any of these rivers at this time.”

The MVCA is issuing a flood watch for Dalhousie Lake. Levels on the lake are expected to increase 10 to 20 centimetres above current elevations over the next 72 hours.

“As a result of the rainfall over the past few days flows continue to increase within the Clyde and Fall River watersheds but are expected to peak within 48 hours at near-average spring levels,” North said. “Levels on Mississippi Lake are expected to increase by 15 to 25 cm over the next four days and should stabilize by the weekend. Flows on the Mississippi River are expected to peak early next week.”

Any additional rainfall this week or next will aggravate the situation. Residents are strongly urged to remind children of the dangers of hypothermia from cold water and playing near fast flowing rivers and creeks. They are also reminded to keep their pets away from the same areas.

Residents in flood prone or low lying areas, historically susceptible to flooding, should take the necessary precautions to protect their property:

• Ensure sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve on it
• Check portable backup generator and pump
• Ensure downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 m from the dwelling
• Remove or securing items that might float away as flows increase including hazardous material such as gas cylinders and solvents etc.
• Remove valuable items from basements or lower floors that could be subject to flooding
• Keep emergency phone numbers handy
• Familiarize yourself with your municipality’s emergency preparedness plan

Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca.  Updates to the watershed conditions will be issued as required.  Please note the MVCA does not monitor ice conditions.

This watershed conditions statement is in effect until April 9 and will be updated at that time unless the forecasts change.

The MVCA flood forecasting and warning program staff monitors weather conditions, snowpack water content, operates dams to help mitigate flooding, estimates expected river flows and water levels and issues flood advisories or warnings as required. The MVCA provides early warning and continuous monitoring to municipal and provincial emergency response personnel through a flood event.