Flood Information

This is a general notice of potential flooding or other conditions that pose a safety risk. There are two kinds of statements:

• A WATER SAFETY STATEMENT indicates that high flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for users such as anglers, boaters, swimmers, children or pets. Flooding is not expected.
• A FLOOD OUTLOOK STATEMENT gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.

Flood outlook (an early notice of the potential for flooding on the Great Lakes based on weather and lake conditions) and water safety information.

This level notifies that the potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.

Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.

Sandbag walls protect your home from flood waters. An effective sandbag wall must be built correctly. Our sandbagging brochure and worksheet and sandbag video contain the information you need to know to build a sandbag wall.

Sandbags, plastic poly, sand, and a pump are required to build your sandbag wall. These materials can be sourced from your local hardware store.

Our regulations staff provide advice on how to floodproof your home. You can request a site visit with our regulations staff by filling out a site visit request form.

Spring water runoff creates dangerous conditions along waterways. We created a curriculum-based resource kit for teachers to use in area schools to teach children about the dangers of spring waters.

Quinte Conservation manages flood risk by:

• monitoring weather conditions, ice, and water levels at stations across the watershed to know when it will flood and how high the water will get;
• communicating the flood risk to our municipalities and posting flood messages on our website and on social media;
• operating dams to hold water and reduce flood peaks; and
• reviewing development in flood-prone areas to reduce future property damage.

We are not responsible for flood fighting. Learn more about our flood forecasting and warning program in our brochure.

The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board provides forecasts for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

Your municipality responds to floods by closing roads, coordinating evacuations, and they may provide sandbags to assist residents in protecting their properties.

You have a role in protecting your property. Be prepared if you live near the water.