April 27 update: MV advises that due to the rain we received yesterday and the flow from Bark Lake the water will continue to rise on the Kamaniskeg water system. If you require sand and sandbags contact staff at the numbers listed below. Staff is monitoring the area and participates in daily County and Provincial Freshet calls.
At another emergency Special Council meeting held April 26 at 3:30 p.m. staff provided an update on flood watch. Some important messages for residents came through loud and clear:
First, if your property was affected by the 2017 flood, then you should be proactive and make preparations now. MV has sand and sandbags available for you, but property owners need to ask for them. Call the Township office at 613-756-2747 to register for sandbags, or alternatively, the Operations Manager at 613-633-6164 or the Operations Supervisor at 613-639-5313. This will ensure staff is on hand if you arrive during the weekend. Sand and sandbags are available at:
- Barry’s Bay- Public Works Garage Yard 1- 49 Arena Rd
- Combermere-Fire Hall/Combermere Community Ctr-1095 Farmer Rd
- Contact the Operations Manager 613-633-6164 for sand to be delivered at your location if required.
Operations Manager Hilary Kutchkoskie told Council he estimated that the Township used 7,500 sandbags during the 2017 flood. To date this spring MV has provided 4,500 sandbags and as of today has an additional 10,000 sandbags on hand. Chief Fire Official / Emergency Management Corwin Quade said he has a same-day source for more bags if needed.
Ignore your GPS and stay on Hwy.60
Drivers following GPS systems to avoid the Hwy. 17 closure(s) are being directed up Paugh Lake Road by their GPS. MV staff have erected signage in Barry’s Bay to warn drivers of closed roads. (pictured above)
Staff reports
Then came good news. So far, the municipality is not as dramatically affected as areas to the east, west and south of us. Quade said that while levels are rising in Kamaniskeg and Bark Lake, they are still within limits and have not yet reached 2017 levels. Residents should remain vigilant and check their properties so that preventive measures can be taken in time. Be sure to check for updates here and on the Township website, social media, etc. Many residents are concerned about the headwaters of our river systems in Algonquin Park. CAO Suzanne Klatt reported today that Algonquin Park staff said they have added “a few logs.” She said that South Algonquin Township reports precautionary work at the Whitney dam; also that Galeairy lake and the Madawaska River water levels have receded since yesterday. Deputy Clerk Gwen Dombroskie said she would update the Township website as FRESHET calls continued through the weekend.
Ashley Pilgrim of Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) reported that the Barry’s Bay water and wastewater treatment plant and the pumping stations are operating without any issues. He said that Kamaniskeg Lake would have to rise by five feet in order to create problems and reminded Council that the plant was fine during 2017.
MV roads:
Kutchkoskie and Operations Supervisor Mike Phillips confirmed that this morning’s scheduled culvert replacement on Chippawa Road was accomplished as planned. Staff continue to monitor roads. He said water has receded from Dam Lake Road. Conditions of other roads are listed in the latest MV update as republished here on The Current. As previously advised, residents should check for updates (Click HERE for the Township website) and should always consult municipal511.ca before driving (Click HERE to visit municipal511.ca)
Corwin Quade (left), Gwen Dombroskie, Hilary Kutchkoskie, Mike Phillips, Ashley Pilgrim in Council Chambers as MV staff give flood watch update on April 26 to Mayor Love, Councillors Bromwich and Shulist, CAO Suzanne Klatt (not shown)
The bottom line:
So far, so good. Staff are prepared and are continuously monitoring the situation. Residents should do the same.
Council and staff reminded residents to check the Township website and follow local media for accurate information. Mayor Love said that MV would not consider declaring an emergency unless and until the situation became more than they could handle. In the meantime staff are maintaining all necessary records in order to claim compensation should a request for relief become necessary.
