Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety
A Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety has been issued for the North Bay – Mattawa watershed, according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA).
“Water levels on area lakes and rivers are generally at or slightly below normal for this time of year. Moisture content in the snowpack is an average of 60.3 mm (as of Jan 2), which is above normal for this time of year,” stated Angela Mills, NBMCA Flood Duty Officer. “There is also an ice lens in the snowpack from the late December melt and rains that will limit the snowpack’s ability to store rainfall. Forecasted warm temperatures and rain will trigger snow melt and increase hazardous conditions around lakes, rivers, and streams.”
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the North Bay – Powassan – Mattawa area, forecasting 15-25 mm of rainfall is possible tonight (Jan 8) through tomorrow, transitioning to snow on Friday. Temperatures are forecast to be well above freezing today, remain above freezing overnight, and reach a high near +8 ºC Friday (Jan 9). Temperatures will return to below freezing Friday night and precipitation will transition back to snow. Mild temperatures, especially overnight, combined with rainfall will trigger melt from the snowpack.
