Spring melt prompts flood watch in Sudbury, North Bay

After a long harsh winter Conservation Sudbury says it is watching the potential flooding situation closely with rain and warmer temperatures in the forecast. Right now, the Sudbury region is under a flood watch with double the normal amount of snowpack in the bush.

Water is quickly moving in Junction Creek in Sudbury. Conservation Sudbury has issued a flood watch specifically for urban waterways.

“The smaller systems like Junction Creek for example we are watching those closely,” said Carl Jorgensen the conservation authority’s general manager.

“We anticipate or expect and would not be surprised that we have some localized flooding on these watercourses.”

With spring conditions finally upon us Conservation Sudbury has been measuring the snowpack and says there is a lot of snow out there.

“A week ago, when we measured it there was about double the amount of snow in the bush to the North and in the city as well,” said Jorgensen.

“That is a lot of snow that still has to melt.” - <quote>

“Our weather is getting warmer as we are feeling it and we have got some rain coming on and off,” said Jorgensen.

“So where you add all of those three things together, we are going to expect rising water levels.”

Jorgensen told CTV News that right now the larger water courses are not a big concern but admits that could quickly change depending on weather conditions.

“The Wanapitei River, the Vermilion even the confluence of the Vermilion and the Onaping those areas, those are large river systems that have the snow in their headwaters further to the north and they are on the rise, but they are slowly rising,” he said.

“They don’t react as quickly as the small urban steams do.” - <quote>

Conservation Sudbury said it will update its flood message later this week.

Currently residents experiencing or at risk of flooding in Greater Sudbury can access sand and sandbags at five area public works depots with details are on the city’s website.

The North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority has also issued a flood watch with significant rainfall anticipated this week.