Watershed Updates

Watershed Update – May 3, 2022

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are above normal. Water content variances are ~154% to ~325% above normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from +13°C to +22°C with minimal precipitation expected over the next 5 to 7 days.
• Generally, elevations and flows at Mesomikenda, Mattagami Lake, Wawaitin and Peter Long are increasing. Inflows are higher than normal for this time of year as a result of recent warming temperatures and snow melt. Storage reservoirs are being managed in consultation with the Timmins Flood Advisory Committee in an attempt to ‘peak shave’ and mitigate high water concerns in Timmins.
• Town Creek, Crawford Creek and other area watercourses are ice-free and flowing well. All watercourses will continue to be closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff. Stream flows and water levels continue to be monitored on a daily basis.

The next update will be issued on or about May 16, 2022.

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View OPG River System Data / Water Levels and Flow

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 705-360-2660 or via email at [email protected]

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2022.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

Watershed Update – April 19, 2022

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are above normal. Water content variances are 100% to 174% above normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from +2°C to +12°C with minimal precipitation expected over the next 5 to 7 days.
• Winter drawdown of all OPG reservoirs has been completed. Water levels at upstream storages are currently building slowly due to recent warmer temperatures and precipitation. Where possible, reservoirs were drawn lower than normal in consideration of higher than normal snow amounts and in anticipation of the continued snowmelt and potential precipitation. Wawaitin GS (Kenogamissi) elevation is currently in the lower part of the operating range in preparation for freshet. Continued inflow increases are anticipated over the coming weeks as freshet progresses.
• Open areas of Town Creek, Crawford Creek and other area watercourses are flowing well. All watercourses will continue to be closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff. The enclosed portions of Town Creek and Crawford Creek are being closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff for potential blockages.

The next update will be issued on or about May 2, 2022.

Sign up to have flood alerts sent to your email address.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 705-360-2660 or via email at [email protected]

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2022.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

Watershed Update – April 5, 2022

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are above normal. Water content variances are 110% to 202% above normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from 0°C to +9°C with minimal precipitation expected over the next 5 to 7 days.
• Winter drawdown of Mesomikenda Lake is complete, and the Lake is set up to gradually begin building as inflows increase over the coming weeks. Drawdowns at Mattagami Lake and Peterlong Lake are nearing completion. With current dam set ups, elevations are expected to hold near the bottom of the operating ranges until inflows begin to increase in the coming weeks. Current inflows are relatively flat and beginning to increase slightly with the warmer temperatures and mixed precipitation received.
• The enclosed portions of Town Creek and Crawford Creek are being closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff.

The next update will be issued on or about April 18.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 705-360-2660 or via email at [email protected]

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2022.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

Watershed Update – March 17, 2022

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are above normal. Water content variances are 133% to 164% above normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from 0°C to +9°C with minimal precipitation expected over the next 5 to 7 days.
• Winter drawdown of Mattagami Lake and Peterlong Lake is ongoing, while drawdown of Mesomikenda Lake is nearing completion. The dams are set up to continue drawdown or hold at the bottom of the range until refill begins in the coming weeks. Inflows are relatively flat and slightly below normal at most sites.
• The enclosed portions of Town Creek and Crawford Creek are being closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff.
• The Timmins Flood Advisory Committee (TFAC) will hold its first meeting Monday March 21, 2022.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 360-2660 or via email at [email protected].

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2022.

You can sign up to receive emailed flood messages directly by providing your email address.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

WATERSHED UPDATE – MARCH 3, 2022

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are above normal. Water content variances are 116.4% to 171.0% above normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from -11°C to -2°C with approximately 20-25 cm of precipitation expected over the next 5 to 7 days.
• Winter drawdown of Mesomikenda, Mattagami Lake and Peterlong is ongoing. The dams are currently set up to continue drawdown until refilling begins in the coming weeks. Inflows were lower than normal leading into winter due to lack of precipitation in the fall and are currently at or slightly below normal.
• The enclosed portions of Town Creek and Crawford Creek are being closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff.
• The Authority’s Flood Contingency Plan was distributed to watershed stakeholders in late February.

The next update will be issued on or about March 17.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 360-2660 or via email at [email protected].

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2022.

You can sign up to receive emailed flood messages directly by providing your email address.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

WATERSHED UPDATE – APRIL 15, 2021

• The snow course sampling sites were absent of snow and the consensus among the surveying organizations is that no further snow course sampling is expected.
• Current forecasts over the coming 7 days show daytime temperatures ranging from +4°C to +10°C, with minimal precipitation forecasted.
• OPG’s reservoirs on the Upper Mattagami River (Mesomikenda, Peterlong, and Mattagami Lakes) continue to fill, with consideration being given to the maintenance of minimum flows downstream for fish spawn. An earlier than normal refill was initiated at all upstream reservoirs to account for lower than normal snow amounts and inflows. Refill is also ongoing at Wawaitin GS (Kenogamissi). Forecasts and conditions will continue to be monitored and adjustments will be made accordingly. OPG’s water level and flow graphs are updated daily and can be found at www.opg.com/river.
• Town Creek, Crawford Creek and other area watercourses are flowing well. All watercourses will continue to be closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff. Stream flows and water levels continue to be monitored on a daily basis.

Further updates will be issued as required.

Did you know that you can sign up through the MRCA website to have flood alerts sent to your email address?

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 360-2660 or via email at [email protected].

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2021.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

WATERSHED UPDATE – APRIL 6, 2021

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are below normal. Water content variances are 2.3% to 55% below normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming 5 days show daytime temperatures ranging from +8°C to +19°C , with minimal precipitation forecasted.
• Winter drawdown of Mesomikenda, Mattagami Lake and Peter Long Lake are complete. Based on current snow values and forecasts, reservoirs on the Upper Mattagami River system have begun a gradual refill. The staged approach to refill is necessary to maintain some storage in the event of spring rain events, while at the same time maintaining the target for summer minimum water levels. Wawaitin GS (Kenogamissi) will also be refilled in the coming weeks using the same gradual, measured approach.
• Town Creek, Crawford Creek and other area watercourses are flowing well. All watercourses will continue to be closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff. Stream flows and water levels continue to be monitored on a weekly basis.
• The Timmins Flood Advisory Committee continues to hold weekly meetings via video conference.

The next update will be issued on or about April 16, 2021.

Did you know that you can sign up through the MRCA website to have flood alerts sent to your email address?

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 360-2660 or via email at [email protected].

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2021.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

WATERSHED UPDATE – MARCH 17, 2021

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are below normal. Water content variances are 43% to 90% below normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from -3°C to +12°C over the next 5 to 7 days with no major weather systems expected.
• Winter drawdown of Mesomikenda, Mattagami Lake, and Peter Long are complete or near-complete. The dams are set up to hold reservoirs at the current elevation or begin a gradual refill in the coming weeks where appropriate, based on current snow values and above-seasonal temperatures. Wawaitin GS (Kenogamissi) will be drawn in the coming weeks as per normal practice in anticipation of the spring melt.
• The enclosed portions of Town Creek and Crawford Creek are being closely watched by Authority and Municipal staff.
• The Timmins Flood Advisory Committee (TFAC) held its first meeting on March 15, 2021 via video conference.

The next update will be issued on or about April 1, 2021.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 360-2660 or via email at [email protected].

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2021.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.

WATERSHED UPDATE – MARCH 3, 2021

• Generally, snow depth and water content conditions for this time of year are below normal. Water content variances are 25% to 55% below normal through the entire Upper Mattagami Watershed.
• Current forecasts over the coming week show daytime temperatures ranging from -11°C to +5°C over the next 5 to 7 days with no major weather systems expected.
• Winter drawdown of Mesomikenda, Mattagami Lake, and Peter Long are ongoing. The dams are currently set up to continue drawdown until refilling begins in April. Higher than normal inflows earlier in the winter have transitioned to relatively normal values at current. Wawaitin will be passing inflows until March 15th.
• The enclosed portions of Town Creek and Crawford Creek are being closely watched by Authority and municipal staff.
• The Authority’s Flood Contingency Plan 2021 was distributed to watershed stakeholders in late February.

The next update will be issued on or about March 16.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Conservation Authority at 360-2660 or via email at [email protected].

See our Upper Mattagami River Watershed Statistics page to download the current watershed statistics and for the full list of reports for 2021.

The information contained in this update has been gathered by Ontario Power Generation, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The summary highlights dam operations and storages as well as snow depth and water content in comparison to historical norms.  Watershed surveys will be conducted on the 1st and 15th of each month until the snow cover has disappeared. Updates will be issued until such time any flood threat has passed.