Conservation authorities have people measuring the snow, to determine how much water could end up in rivers and streams.
The water in streams and rivers started picking up speed as the temperature climbed close to 10 C in Wasaga Beach on Monday. Several snowmobile trails are already bare and the snow is disappearing from farmers’ fields.
Even so, Stephanie Durocher still needed snowshoes to get around, as she conducts a snowpack survey for the Nottawasga Valley Conservation Authority. Durocher measures the depth and weight of the snow at nine different locations, from the top of Blue Mountain to the hill tops in Oro Medonte.
“By taking all of these samples we take an average and we know how much snow there is compared to other weeks and how much water is in the snow and that gives a really good idea of what's left,” she says.
Conservation authorities use the information to help determine the risk of flooding as the spring thaw progresses and this week’s survey shows that the snowpack is shrinking, but is still holding onto most of its water.
Durocher says the weather will determine how quickly the water is released into streams and rivers.
“We see that the snow is melting away on our driveways and on our roads, but it's still there and dangerous conditions still exist, so flooding is still a concern and safety around rivers is definitely a primary concern right now.”
The Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and NVCA have both issued water safety statements reminding the public about the danger of this cold, fast flowing water. A flood watch has been issued along the Upper Grand River.
Ice jams can also cause rivers to over flow their banks, but warm days and cold nights have resulted in a smooth spring thaw along the Nottawasaga River.
Rick Andrew has lived in Wasaga Beach all of his life and is still waiting for the spring run off to arrive here.
“We had a lot of ice, we had a lot of snow and the river is much lower than it was last year,” says Andrew.
Conservation authorities will continue to watch water levels and the forecast closely, while snow melts and the ice continue to break up in area rivers.
