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Water levels rising in Greater Sudbury area

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Conservation Sudbury has issued a flood watch warning for parts of Greater Sudbury.

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The warning covers lower Junction Creek (downstream of Kelly Lake), the Onaping River (in the Dowling area) and the Vermilion River (in Dowling, Chelmsford and parts of Walden).

For all other watercourses within Greater Sudbury, water safety messaging is being maintained. These statements are in effect until 10 a.m. on April 30.

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Conservation Sudbury has five water safety levels. Normal is the lowest, flood warning is the most serious. Flood watch is just below flood warning, meaning “flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.”

The current Environment Canada forecast for the rest of the week indicates warm temperatures nearing 13 C with light precipitation.

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“A significant amount of the snowpack within the city has melted over the past week; however, the upper reaches of the Vermilion River and the Onaping River watersheds still have snowpack with significant water content,” Conservation Sudbury said in a release. “Current water levels and flows on all watercourses in these watersheds are already elevated and will remain high for some time to come.”

The neighbourhoods adjacent to Mud, Simon and McCharles Lakes are in the vicinity of the point where Junction Creek flows into the Vermilion River. Similarly the Dowling area is where the Onaping and Vermilion Rivers join. Flows are high in all of these watercourses and a backwater effect often occurs where they meet. High water levels are already being experienced on shoreline properties.

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The developing conditions must be closely monitored by all residents, especially those living in low-lying, hazard areas where overland flooding could become an issue. Residents in the city of Greater Sudbury who may experience problems due to overland runoff or flooding should call 311.

Public safety is the number one priority, especially for children who may be attracted to the edges of creeks or rivers, the agency said. The cold, fast-flowing water must be avoided. Stream banks will be very slippery and unsafe, and must be avoided. Open water areas, often found at the edges of ice-covered lakes, will continue to widen and these must also be avoided.

Conservation Sudbury remains in direct contact with officials at the city and all other partners as required; staff continues to monitor water levels and updates will be provided as required.

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For more information, visit ConservationSudbury.ca.

North Bay, meanwhile, remains under a flood warning and some roads in the northeast have been washed out.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – North Bay District is advising area residents that a flood warning is in effect in the southern portion of the district until Thursday.

The warning, which means flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities, encompasses the Sturgeon River, Lake Nipissing and Upper French River Watershed as well as the South River.

Powassan Mayor Peter McIsaac said there are a number of roads experiencing flooding and more than 12 homes in the community that have been cut off due to washed out roads.

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“We’re talking to OPG (Ontario Power Generation) about them increasing the release of water in the South River, which has a number of hydro dams along the river system. With a large amount of water coming from the top end, homes along the river are expected to experience some pretty good flooding,” he said.

“We’re very worried about those homes. Maple Hill Road is under water and seven or eight homes have been cut off.”

McIsaac said staff went door-to-door Friday delivering letters and speaking to affected residents.

He said they assured residents the fire and public works department are keeping an eye on the situation, however if anyone needs to get out they will be evacuated to 250 Clark.

Maple Hill Road isn’t the only road under water. A large portion of Hanselman Road has been washed out due to Genesee Creek overflowing, affecting five homes.

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McIsaac said Forrestry Road is also washed out, which will affect residents in Laurier Township.

“We’re also monitoring Sausage Creek. The water is running high and we’re worried about Main Street North in Trout Creek,” he said, adding the community’s emergency crews are meeting on a regular basis to ensure residents are safe.

The situation across the district could get worse with precipitation expected through Thursday.

“The forecasted warm temperatures and precipitation are likely to further degrade the snow pack and river ice and continue to produce runoff and increase levels and flows,” stated the MNRF.

Motorists are being reminded Highway 17 is closed between Deep River and Bissett Creek due to a washed out portion of road.

There is a detour from Highway 11 to Hwy 60 in Huntsville through Algonquin Park through Highway 17 in Renfrew.

Reopening time is unknown.

Several outlying roads have also succumbed to high water levels including Widdifield Station Road just east of Otter Lake.

– with files from the North Bay Nugget

sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @SudburyStar

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