Supplied by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry…
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Sault Ste. Marie District is advising area
residents that a Flood Watch is in effect for the District.
Residents of the Sault Ste. Marie District should continue to keep a close watch on water
conditions, regularly check for updated messages and stay away from fast-moving rivers
and streams.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further
updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System:
The weather outlook for Sault Ste. Marie over next several days is for daytime temperatures
of up to 12°C and with night-time lows to remain above zero. Clouds will move in during the
afternoon on Tuesday with a 70% chance of showers this evening and overnight. Tomorrow
will be cloudy as daytime highs reach 11°C with rain (2-4 mm) moving into the region after
midnight. Rain is also predicted for Wednesday and Thursday bringing an estimated volume
of 35-45mm and 25-35 mm respectively with gusting easterly winds and temperatures near
8°C. The four-day total volume of rainfall predicted may exceed 60-85 mm.
Water levels and stream flows across much of northeastern Ontario are moderately elevated
from ongoing spring snow melt and recent precipitation events.
Above freezing temperatures and precipitation will further degrade the remaining snowpack
and produce continued runoff, thereby increasing water levels and flows.
Description of Current Conditions:
Although water levels are currently below critical thresholds for the Goulais River, any
increases in the amount of precipitation forecasted and coupled with continued melting of
the remaining snow pack could result in a subsequent rise in water levels.
Risks may include increasing flows, fast moving cold water with rapidly changing conditions.
A close watch on local forecasts and water conditions is recommended.

EXPIRY DATE
This message will be in effect until (or updated before): Friday, May 01 2020, 12:00 AM .
TERMINOLOGY: Notification Levels
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the
potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high
winds or other conditions
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows,
melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and
swimmers but flooding is not expected.
FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and
municipalities.
A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is
recommended.
Environment Canada bulletins can be found at weather.gc.ca/
The Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage can be found at
www.ontario.ca/flooding
Tweet your reports of flooding with the hashtag #ONFlood.