Goulais River annual flood watch in effect

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The flood watch is often issued when the snowpack in the area is high and large amounts of rain area also anticipated.

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A flood watch is in effect for the Goulais River.

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The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, issued the flood watch warning late Tuesday in anticipation of Wednesday’s expected rainfall.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding within specific water courses and municipalities.

The flood watch is often issued when the snowpack in the area is high and large amounts of rain area also anticipated.

“Residents of the Sault Ste. Marie District area should keep a close watch on water conditions, regularly check for updated messages and stay away from fast-moving rivers and streams,” the release warns.

Roland Szyska, integrated resource management technician with the ministry, said water levels in area creeks and rivers are somewhat elevated from the gradual thawing of the snowpack, the recent rainfall and the daytime temperatures above zero.

“The Goulais River itself is still mostly ice covered with water levels below average for this time in April. However, there are short sections of open water in places where the current is concentrated, he said. “The spring thaw has not yet started in earnest.”

Residents within the Goulais River watershed should be aware that ice jams are possible in the coming days and that river conditions should be monitored closely as water levels can change very quickly if ice jams occur.

The breakup of the ice has not yet commenced “to any significant degree,” thus no jamming has occurred yet.

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“Given the amount of ice that is still covering the river there is a moderate to high risk of ice jams occurring in the coming days as the melting of the snow accelerates and volume of runoff increases,” Szyska said.

It’s a potential flooding situation the ministry monitors annually. An ice jam backs up the flow of water, causing it to rise and spill over the banks.

Last spring, with warmer temperatures and less snow, the watch began the end of March.

Szyska said he expects the melting of the snowpack in the Goulais watershed to be about one to two weeks behind that of last year.

“If the current weather forecast is correct, and daytime temperatures increase to near double-digit values with above zero night-time temperatures and forecasted rain events occur, the resulting runoff will increase flows and levels at existing river gauges,” he said.

A forecast of heavy rain and winds, which began early Wednesday afternoon, are expected to leave 25-35 mm of accumulation of rain.

With nighttime temperatures above the freezing mark and more rain expected Thursday, the milder temperatures and rail will result in rapid snow melt and significant run-off during the period.

The latest local snow survey taken April 1 shows a continuing snowpack of 67 cm average depth north of Searchmont, which represents about 224 mm of water equivalent – well above the annual average for this time of year.

“Forecasted warm temperatures and precipitation will begin to accelerate the melting of the snowpack and ice cover on local water bodies producing additional runoff and increasing levels and flows,” he said.

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Water levels and stream flows across the region are currently “moderately elevated” from the spring snow melt and recent precipitation.

Szyska said there are too many variables to predict what will happen this spring and it depends on the mix of water levels, temperatures and precipitation.

“The risks of this may include significant degradation of ice, possible ice jams, and fast-moving cold water with rapidly changing conditions. In addition to unsafe ice conditions on area water bodies there may also be the typical localized flooding in low lying areas with poor drainage,” he said.

The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority has also issued a release warning of potential flooding in low-lying areas due to the anticipated rainfall.

Currently, local rivers, creeks and streams, are flowing at normal levels, the authority said, adding flood control channels it owns and maintains are currently flowing at normal levels.

“The flood control channels will experience a rise in water levels,” the authority said. “It is important to remember that the water in rivers, streams and the channels will be cold and fast flowing during and after the rainfall event.”

Children and pets should stay away from rivers, creeks and streams. Flows can be especially dangerous and stream banks can be slippery during the spring months and the water is very cold.

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