QUINTE CONSERVATION ISSUES A FLOOD OUTLOOK STATEMENT FOR LAKE ONTARIO AND THE BAY OF QUINTE

Lake Ontario is expected to continue to rise into the spring. 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 by the week of April 10 and reach peak levels in mid-May around 75.45 metres. This is well 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 fall and winter. 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 75.17 metres on Wednesday, which is 51 cm above average and only 14 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 up rush. 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 OUTLOOK STATEMENT gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lake shore flooding or erosion.

This message will be in effect until (or updated before) April 11, 2020

More information about Quinte Conservation is available at

www.quinteconservation.ca.