July 14th, 2023 Water Safety Statement

Watershed Conditions Statement: Water Safety

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) advises that the watershed is likely to receive an additional 15-25 mm of rain on Saturday, July 15th, which will increase already elevated water levels.

Friday, July 14th, 2023 to Tuesday, July 18th, 2023

Severe thunderstorms early Thursday morning brought significant amounts of rain to the watershed. Rainfall totals over the past 36-hours have ranged from 20-100 mm, with the greatest amounts recorded along the Highway 6 corridor from Mount Forest to Durham. Although recent drought conditions allowed our wetlands and watercourses to absorb most of the rainfall, water levels are elevated throughout the watershed.

The forecast for this Saturday predicts that we will receive 15-25mm of rain, which will be followed by less intense rainfall over the following days. The ground is already saturated due to the rainfall we experienced Thursday. This means that the additional rain will likely end up as surface water runoff, which will further increase water levels. Although flooding is not expected, high water levels, fast flowing waters, and slippery conditions along watercourse banks will create dangerous conditions.

Parents and caregivers are reminded to keep children and pets away from all watercourses. Banks adjacent to rivers, creeks, and ditches may be slippery and, when combined with fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Recreational river users should also take extra precautions this weekend, as high-water levels and fast flows are expected to persist for the next several days.

SVCA staff will be closely monitoring the situation and will provide an update if conditions change. This message will remain in effect until Tuesday, July 18th.

To report flooding in your area, visit our website:
www.saugeenconservation.ca/reportflood

For more information, please contact:
Jody Duncan, Flood Forecasting and Warning Coordinator Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (519) 369-8247 floodcoordinator@svca.on.ca