The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority is warning there will likely be significant spring runoff this year that could result in serious flooding.
Officials say based on the snowpack – one of the largest in memory – and readings that have been taken, flooding is likely.
The snowpack is double what is normally seen in Grey-Bruce and also Huron-Perth.
Authorities also say this is the most snow the area has had this late in the year since 1982.
Readings taken by SVCA at 14 different stations across the watershed, show the average snow depth is 47 centimetres.
The water content, or equivalent amount of water in the snow, is 185 millimetres, a little more than double the historical average for early March.
Ice cover is also the most extensive the SVCA has seen in a number of years.
Officials say the extent of runoff and flooding depends on weather conditions.
“Should an abrupt and prolonged period of mild and wet weather prevail, there may be a rapid breakup and melt, that combined, could generate much higher flows than seen in the last number of years,” an SVCA news release says.
“Staff at Saugeen Conservation will be continuously monitoring conditions as the spring approaches to inform and prepare municipalities and watershed residents of potential flood events.”
