KAWARTHA LAKES, OTONABEE RIVER, and RICE LAKE –   The Haliburton Lakes / Reservoir Lakes region include more than 4000 square kilometers of lakes, rivers, creeks and surrounding lands that lie north of the Kawartha Lakes.

This vast region is hydrologically connected to the Kawartha Lakes, which in turn are hydrologically connected to the Otonabee River and Rice Lake. That is, rain and snowmelt in the Haliburton Lakes / Reservoir Lakes region moves southward to affect water levels in the Kawartha Lakes, which affect flows along the Otonabee River and water levels of Rice Lake. Last night, the Burnt River, one of the major tributaries from the northern Haliburton Lakes / Reservoir Lakes to the Kawartha Lakes, peaked at an all-time record flow rate of 240 cubic meters per second (previous record was 204 cms set in 1991).

As a result of this record high inflow, combined with near record flows on the Gull River, Mississauga River, Eels Creek and other tributaries from the north, water levels on the Kawartha Lakes have risen and are expected to continue to rise over the next 5 days.

Outflows from the Kawartha Lakes through the Otonabee River will also increase over the next 5 days by an estimated 15 per cent. As Otonabee River flows increase, water levels of Rice Lake will likewise increase.

Therefore, the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority advises that residents and businesses located along the shores of the Kawartha Lakes, the Otonabee River and Rice Lake take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their property because water levels have already risen to no less than full conditions, and will continue to rise throughout the next 5 days.

The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor current conditions and issue updates as required. This FLOOD WARNING will be updated no later than 1:00 pm FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019.