MNR UPDATE: Flood Warning – White River Watershed
White River area. Google Earth
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Wawa District is reminding area residents that a flood warning remains in effect for the White River watershed. Flooding on the White River and White Lake is occurring and further flooding is imminent.
White Lake has passed its upper lake operating level and the White River is experiencing very high flows. Forecast warm daytime temperatures leading into this weekend will affect snow melt, and will increase the amount of water entering the river system. Approximately 30 centimetres of snowpack remains in much of the White River watershed. More than 15 centimetres of ice remains across most of White Lake.
High water levels will persist until the remaining snowpack in the upper watershed has melted. Daytime temperatures are forecast to rise over the week, reaching 20 degrees C. The warmer temperatures will contribute to further melting of the remaining snowpack. Up to 40 millimetres of rain is forecast over the next four days near White Lake, further increasing the amount of water entering the river system.
Forest access road culverts and water crossings are at or near their flow capacity across the Wawa District. The public is asked to exercise caution when travelling in the bush. Please be alert to changing flow conditions.
Residents along the White River should monitor the developing conditions closely and are asked to use extreme caution around water at this time of the year, as water levels on streams, rivers and lakes can change quickly.
This statement applies to the White River watershed and White Lake.
MNR is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be published by OntarioNewsNorth.com as they are received.
