WEST CARLETON – Light temperatures and light rain will increase water flows and levels throughout West Carleton over the next week the Mississippi Valley Watershed Authority (MVCA) says.

“With light rain and temperatures above freezing over the last couple of days and a similar weather forecast through much of the next week, flows and levels in ditches and smaller creeks are expected to increase steadily throughout the week,” the MVCA released in a statement today (March 22). “Ponding is and will continue to be an issue over the next week.”

With increase flows and water temperature starting to increase, ice conditions on lakes and rivers will begin to deteriorate as well.

“Residents are strongly urged to stay off all ice-covered waterways,” the MVCA said. “Parents are encouraged to remind their children about hypothermia and the dangers of playing on or near ice covered surfaces or fast flowing water in ditches and smaller 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, such as:

• Ensuring sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve on it
• Portable backup generator and pump
• Ensuring downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 m from the dwelling
• Removing or securing items that might float away as flows increase
• Removing 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 (VIDEO: courtesy the MVCA)

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.

This watershed conditions statement is in effect until March 29, and will be updated at that time unless the forecasts change.

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority 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. MVCA provides early warning and continuous monitoring to municipal and provincial emergency response personnel through a flood event.