UPDATE: April 26 – The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) has advised municipalities and the public that the Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has issued a Provincial Flood Watch Statement:
The Provincial Flood Watch Statement provides advanced notice of high-water levels on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River. Heightened risks may start to develop if water levels were to rise above 75.30 masl (metres above sea level), including potential shoreline flooding, beach submersion, crawl space and septic system inundation, and wave-driven erosion.
The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board (ILOSLRB), in their briefing on April 25rd, 2019 reported that:
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- A major flood event is under way in the lower St. Lawrence River, with levels in some areas above the peaks seen in 2017. Levels throughout the Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River system is expected to continue rising rapidly this coming week
- Lake Ontario’s level rose 15 cm (5.9 in.) last week. The average lake level on April 25, 2019 was 75.27 m (246.95 ft), which is 33 cm (13 in.) above average. Further increases are expected this week and Lake Ontario levels may begin to approach critical values in some areas.
- A significant storm with heavy rainfall is expected to spread across the basin on Friday. Widespread areas are expected to see 25 to 50 mm (2 to 4 in.).
- Lake Ontario’s outflow continues to be adjusted as Ottawa River flows into the St. Lawrence River near Montreal continued to increase.
The water level measured today at Kingston is currently 75.27 m which is 0.73 m below the Lake Ontario 100-year flood elevation of 76.0 m. The current level of the St. Lawrence River measured at Brockville is 75.07 m. This is 0.73 m below the 100-year level of 75.8 metres in that area along the River. The high water levels seen in 2017 were above 75.8 m on Lake Ontario and 75.5 m on St. Lawrence River, measured in Kingston and Brockville respectively. It was at these 2017 levels that significant dock submersions and some impacts to dwellings started to occur.
Staff will continue to monitor ILOSLRB forecasts and SWMC Provincial Statements, and update CRCA messaging as needed. This Watershed Conditions Statement will remain in effect until (or updated before) May 10th, 2019.
Original April 25 CRCA release:
The City of Kingston’s office of emergency management advises residents that localized flooding is possible due to heavy rainfall expected on Friday, April 26 and has issued the following release.
Residents are being advised by Environment Canada to prepare for “another significant rainfall” on Friday, with total rainfall amounts of 25 to 40 millimetres forecast to fall by late Friday night. Local amounts exceeding 50 mm are possible.
“Flood messaging is in effect for much of Central and Eastern Ontario,” says Brandi Timpson, the City’s Manager of Emergency Preparedness. “While wide-spread flooding is not expected in Kingston at this time, it’s important for all residents to be aware of what steps they can take to protect their home, family and pets.”
She encourages homeowners to:
- Make sure basement winders and ground level doors are properly sealed
- Downspouts are directed to drain well away from your home.
- Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains. (Utilities Kingston’s Preventative Plumbing program offers financial assistance to qualified homeowners for projects like these.)
- Move important documents and items of value out of the basement.
To learn more about preparing for flood conditions, visit CityofKingston.ca/FloodReady.
“Rain, heavy at times, will move into Central and Eastern Ontario overnight Thursday night and continue into Friday evening,” states Environment Canada in an alert issued Thursday morning, which encompasses Kingston, Odessa and Frontenac Islands.
In a watershed conditions report issued by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) yesterday, the conservation authority reported that water levels measured at Kingston on April 24 were 75.22 m, which is 0.8 m below the Lake Ontario 100-year flood elevation of 76.0 m.
The current level of the St. Lawrence River measured at Brockville is 75.10 m. This is 0.7 m below the 100-year level of 75.8 metres in that area along the River. The high water levels seen in 2017 were above 75.8 m on Lake Ontario and 75.5 m on St. Lawrence River, measured in Kingston and Brockville respectively. It was at these 2017 levels that significant dock and boat ramp submersions, and some impacts to dwellings, started to occur.
For information concerning flooding, please consult the CRCA or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry District office.
(Kingston) – 613-544-9264 for real time water levels. Or see this waterlevels.gc.ca page.
For up to date flooding information, please visit the CRCA’s flood forecasting and information page at www.crca.ca/flood.
See Utilities Kingston’s website for details on:
* What to do if your basement floods || Preventative Plumbing Program
Photo (cropped): Betty Longbottom (pd)
