There’s little risk of flooding in the North Bay region, at least for the next while.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority says the next few days will see a slow snow melt followed by a combination of warmth and cold.
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications and Outreach at the NBMCA, says a number of factors can result in flooding.
She says it’s not just the above average snow the region has received.
“It’s also the rate at which the snow melts and whether or not we get additional precipitation,” she said.
She adds that precipitation could cause flooding if it’s frequent and intense.
However, Buckle says this is something that just can’t be anticipated with a long term weather forecast.
Buckle says the NBMCA also keeps a constant eye on stream water levels and temperatures to see if water levels rise.
As we move a little further into spring, Buckle said other factors emerge to help mitigate the risk of flooding.
“Once the leaves come out they start drawing up water,” she said.
“When we have sunshiny days, that’s important because they can help evaporate the water. Also if there’s a wind, that’s a good thing too.”
Wind helps dry up water conditions.
In the early stages of spring runoff, one of the best combinations is to see a gradual snow melt where days are warm and the nights cool.
Little or no precipitation during this period will also help diminish the risk of flooding.
“But if we get really warms days and there’s a fast melt, there’s lots of precipitation, the ground is still frozen and water levels are high, these are all factors that (increase) the risk of flooding,” she said.
The good news is, for now, those conditions have not dominated the scene.
