On Saturday evening, the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) upgraded their flood outlook statement to a flood watch, after water levels rose significantly over the last few days.
In a watershed conditions statement released Thursday, officials said higher than normal temperatures and between 10 and 20 millimetres of rain are expected to melt the snowpack, resulting in high water flows.
Now, SVCA reports that local steams and rivers have risen anywhere from 0.3 to 1 metre since Thursday. The authority says some small watercourses have already overflowed, while larger bodies of water are nearly at that point, specifically in Neustadt, Walkerton, Paisley, Formosa and surrounding areas.
The ground is fully saturated, according to SVCA. This means any additional snowmelt and rainfall will end up as runoff in nearby watercourses.
The original flood outlook statement warned residents to stay away from water courses until conditions improved. SVCA's latest update continues to advise residents to avoid these areas:
"Residents are reminded to stay away from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams," they wrote. "High water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks make these locations extremely dangerous."
Significant flooding was not initially anticipated, but now, SVCA says localized flooding can be expected in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Municipal and County staff were advised to monitor problem areas and prepare to close affected areas.
With files by Rebecca Chouinard.
