FLOOD WATCH FOR LAKE ONTARIO AND THE BAY OF QUINTE
Lake Ontario is expected to continue to rise over the coming month. The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board has forecasted that if the weather conditions continue within normal ranges for this time of year, the water levels are predicted to reach 75.3 m this week and reach peak levels in mid-May around 75.56 metres. This is below the peak of 75.88 metres seen in 2017 and 75.92 metres observed in 2019.
Higher than normal water levels have continued throughout the winter and into the spring. Unprecedented inflows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario have kept these water levels elevated over the past few months. The average Lake Ontario water level was recorded to be 75.28 metres on Wednesday, which is 44 cm above average and 36 cm below the record high for this time of year.
Residents are advised to check local weather and wave forecasts for warnings as high wind and waves can cause shoreline erosion and wave uprush. For information on flooding or for resources on Lake Ontario water levels, visit QuinteConservation.ca.
Staff will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update if forecasts and conditions change.
A FLOOD WATCH STATEMENT notifies that the potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
This message will be in effect until (or updated before) May 15, 2020 Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides costeffective environmental expertise and leadership. Quinte Conservation’s main goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.
