'We have received a near historical amount of rainfall', North Bay prepares for potential flooding

Flooding fears in North Bay Flood watch covers the entire North Bay MNRF District, with local waterways flowing at above average levels. Natalie van Rooy reports.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has upgraded its flood watch for the North Bay area.

The MNRF said the watch covers the entire North Bay district, including the following watersheds: Lake Temiskaming/Ottawa River, Matabitchuan River, Montreal River, Mattawa River, Sturgeon/Nipissing/Upper French River, South River, Wasi River and the Pickerel River Watersheds.

The North Bay- Mattawa Conservation Authority said lakes and water courses will rise as a weather system is expected to bring thirty to fifty millimetres of rain over the next few days, bringing potential flooding.

“We have received a near historical amount of rainfall throughout the area for the month of April,” said Katelyn Lynch, North Bay- Mattawa Conservation Authority water resources engineer.

“Close to 200% of average and because of this high amount of water, all of the area's lakes and water courses are quite high so there isn't the storage capacity available for the coming rain.”

She said Lake Nipissing is currently ten centimetres above normal, and if there is the expected rainfall, levels will rise another 16 centimetres.

“The last time we were at that level was in 2004, and when the lake does reach that level... the conservation authority begins to operate a backup control structure on parks creek, so that back flooding doesn't impact homes,” Lynch explained.

North Bay public works employees are preparing for potential flooding; clearing storm drains and having sand ready to be bagged.

“The sand can be picked up at public works, through our general dispatch office. Right now we are allowing 50 bags per customer per time with a max of 100,” said Victor Anello, City of North Bay roads supervisor

“This is basically for people who are near low lying areas of shorelines that really need the sandbags for any kind of assistance.”

The conservation authority says staff will be closely monitoring conditions and rising water levels to see if the watch needs to be updated to a warning.