Flood Warning for areas of the Severn River, Black River, and Sparrow Lake

April 4, 2025 11 a.m. Update: Township of Severn has set up a self-serve sandbag station at Coldwater Community Centre, 11 Michael Anne Drive, Coldwater as of April 3. 

We will provide the sand and burlap bags. Please bring your own shovel to fill them up and take them away. Delivery is not available. The station will remain open until the water has receded and is no longer a threat to properties.

The Ministry of Natural Resource - Aurora Midhurst Owen Sound District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect for the below described area of the district until Friday, April 11, 2025.

Residents in Severn and Ramara Townships, in the area of the Severn and Black Rivers as well as Sparrow Lake and Lake St. John within the Aurora Midhurst Owen Sound District should expect water levels to increase and flooding to occur in the coming week.

Residents on Sparrow Lake and Lake St. John particularly should expect water levels to rise through the weekend and into next week with forecasted rainfall for the area and flooding expected.

Runoff to local lakes and rivers has increased significantly with recent rainfall, snow melt and warm weather.

Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas will be impacted to varying degrees as lake and river water levels remain high in response to recent and forecasted precipitation and melting snow in the coming week.  Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.

Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue to take necessary action to protect and secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions and regularly check for updated messages.

The Ministry is closing monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.

April 3, 2025 Update: Township of Severn has set up a self-serve sandbag station at Coldwater Community Centre, 11 Michael Anne Drive, Coldwater as of April 3. 

We will provide the sand and burlap bags. Please bring your own shovel to fill them up and take them away. Delivery is not available. The station will remain open until the water has receded and is no longer a threat to properties.

The Ministry of Natural Resources Aurora Midhurst Owen Sound District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect for the below described area of the district until Friday, April 11, 2025.

Residents in Severn and Ramara Township, in the area of the Severn and Black Rivers as well as Sparrow Lake within the Aurora Midhurst Owen Sound District should expect water levels to increase and flooding to occur in the coming week.

Residents on Sparrow Lake particularly should expect water levels to rise through the weekend and into next week with forecasted rainfall for the area and flooding expected.

Runoff to local lakes and rivers has increased significantly with recent rainfall, snow melt and warm weather.

Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas will be impacted to varying degrees as lake and river water levels remain high in response to recent and forecast precipitation and melting snow in the coming week.

Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.

Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue to take necessary action to protect and secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions and regularly check for updated messages on Ontario's Flood Forecasting webpage.

The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.

Received by email on April 3, 2025 from Jeff Haelzle, Resource Management Coordinator, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aurora Midhurst Owen Sound District. Contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources by email at: jeff.haelzle@ontario.ca

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