The City of North Bay is making sand and sandbags available to residents concerned about potential shoreline damage on Lake Nipissing.
A sandbag filling station opened on Sunday at Sunset Park and will be open again Monday (8am), offering sand and sandbags free of charge to residents. Officials say the sandbags are intended to be used for reinforcing breakwalls and acting as barriers to prevent water from reaching structures.
This after a Flood Warning was issued by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) for the Lake Nipissing shoreline in the City of North Bay and Municipality of Callander and the Parks Creek watershed.
“Water levels and flows have increased significantly in response to last week’s rain event,” says Angela Mills, NBMCA Flood Duty Officer. “Water levels on Lake Nipissing have been rising and strong westerly winds will enhance local water levels and risk of shoreline erosion.”
The Conservation Authority is encouraging the public to keep children and pets away from watercourses and shorelines. Area residents and visitors, especially those in low-lying areas, are encouraged to monitor the conditions as they develop and take proper precautions during times of high flows.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has issued a Flood Warning Bulletin for the Lake Nipissing shoreline.
The ministry says Friday’s average lake level was measured at 196.16m which is below the maximum ‘non-damage’ level of 196.22m.
“High winds could pose a significant risk and cause damages along with upcoming rainfall events,” states a release.
Officials say flooding has been reported in the Lavigne area along the shoreline of Lake Nipissing with water levels rising onto properties.
They add the Upper French River area is seeing high water and rising river levels, with some impact to residents along the river.
However, flood levels have not been reached.
A Flood Outlook continues for other areas of the North Bay-Mattawa watershed.
