Preventing and Protecting Against Flooding
Our role is to protect people and property from flooding. We work to prevent or minimize the impacts of flooding by:
We review development proposals and support decisions that safeguard people and property while protecting natural features. While we can’t prevent flooding from occurring, keeping people and property out of flood-prone areas helps ensure naturally-occurring floods don’t contribute to local emergencies.
We operate a network of 59 real-time monitoring stations throughout the Credit River Watershed, strategically placed to send vital information about current environmental conditions, allowing us to better understand, predict and warn about flooding, threats to water quality and low water levels.
Current Flood & Low Water Status
Flood Warning Messages
When flooding is possible or about to occur, we issue flood warning messages to municipal emergency management officials and the media about the potential threat to people and property. Municipal officials then take action to warn residents and provide emergency services as needed.
These messages can be found on our homepage, Facebook account and Twitter account.
Normal Conditions
No flood conditions exist. Note that even during normal conditions, there is a risk to personal safety associated with flowing water.
Water Safety
High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, hikers, children, pets, and others. Flooding is not expected.
Flood Outlook
Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions. These factors may cause significant runoff, ice jams, flooding or erosion.
Flood Watch and/or Lake Ontario Shoreline Flood Watch
Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare for possible flooding.
Flood Warning and/or Lake Ontario Shoreline Flood Warning
Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions, including possible road closures and evacuations.
Stay Informed With the Alertable App
Alertable is a Canadian public emergency alert system that offers CVC flood alerts in real-time, right to your mobile device. It’s free via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Make sure you have critical information at your fingertips when it matters most, because every second counts in a flood emergency.
Resources
Contact
905-670-1615
Ask for the Flood Duty Officer
Email Flood Staff
Hours
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m,
(except statutory holidays)
If you are concerned about high water levels in your area, please contact your municipality. For emergencies requiring police, fire or ambulance, call 9-1-1.
After Hours Contact
Phone our answering service: 1-800-215-8505
Municipal, Provincial and Conservation Staff: Your message will be forwarded to CVC’s Flood Duty Officer.
Media: Your message will be forwarded to Media Information Coordinator.
Monitoring and Gauges