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No flooding so far this spring

BY KEITH LACEY [email protected] So far, so good. The annual spring runoff is in full swing across the Greater Sudbury watershed and is being closely monitored by the Nickel District Conservation Authority (NDCA).
BY KEITH LACEY

So far, so good.

The annual spring runoff is in full swing across the Greater Sudbury watershed and is being closely monitored by the Nickel District Conservation Authority (NDCA).

?At this point in time, there is no particular area of concern,? said Paul Sajatovic, planner and community relations co-ordinator for the NDCA. ?The next three weeks will be crucial as the bigger watercourses come through the system, but we don?t anticipate any serious problems.?

Most of the smaller rivers and watercourses within the southern portion of the watershed system have completed much of their spring melt and there have been no problems at all, said Sajatovic.

?Despite the first meaningful rain we?ve had since the beginning of spring late last week, the smaller systems like Junction Creek and Whitson River...are moving along quite nicely,? he said.

The bigger systems in the north, including the Vermillion River, Wahnapitae River and Onaping River, are just starting their spring melt and these are
the systems which usually influence any kind of potential for flooding problems, said Sajatovic.

Conditions over the past three weeks ?have been ideal? in reducing any flooding threats as there has been limited precipitation, cold evenings and
nice warm temperatures during the day, he said.

At this time of year, the NDCA not only monitors the watershed system very closely, but warns the public to exercise caution and know the dangers involved with fast-flowing water systems.

?We urge people to stay away because the water is moving very quickly and it?s obviously very cold and there are a lot of dangers,? he said.

The shorelines of most area lakes are now open and this is a good sign it?s time to stay off watercourses until the spring melt is complete, he said.

As long as Mother Nature doesn?t lash out with unseasonable weather, the NDCA is predicting a smooth spring runoff until the system is completely cleared over the next three to four weeks, he said.

?As long as we?re not diluged with significant amounts of precipitation, everything should be fine,? he said. ?We are being vigilant and will closely monitor the system and keep a close eye on developing conditions. April can be a very fickle month, but we?re pleased with how things have gone so far.?

The NDCA needs help to ensure flooding doesn?t become a problem this time of year and city public work crews have done a particularly good job cleaning out drainage ditches and other areas of the watershed system this spring, he said.

If citizens anywhere in Greater Sudbury experience problems due to spring runoff, they should call the city?s public works department at 560-2022, 24 hours a day.

The NDCA will continue to provide updated information until the threat of any flooding has passed from the spring runoff.



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