Everything you need to know about the Goulais River

Despite the recent cold snap, water levels on the Goulais River continue to rise on a daily basis, says Kirk Dillabough, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) resource management technician.

"The cooler weather today will help to slow the spring melt and MNR is monitoring the warm weather developing midweek and is planning response accordingly," he says.

Dillabough says the situation is not critical at this time but ministry officials are monitoring it closely.

"There is increased water flow, the tributaries are open, and the ice is breaking apart," he says. "Warm weather and a bit more rain is expected soon."

The rain last week brought much of the snow out of the watershed area and into the river.

"[Water] levels have been increasing steadily since Saturday," said Dillabough.

Members of the media paid a visit to the Goulais River Fire and Rescue Hall late last week for a multi-agency press conference.

"Snow conditions are about 77 percent of normal this winter," Dillabough told the assembled media representatives.

"The probability of flooding is decreased by warm weather and sunshine," he said.

But Dillabough cautioned that the Goulais River is very unpredictable.

"People need to remember that [water] levels on that river can rise very quickly under certain conditions."

Dillabough said that the melting snow up north, combined with heavy rains and ice jams, can put a lot of water into the system very quickly.

Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Sault Search and Rescue, Ontario Provincial Police, Goulais River and Searchmont Fire and Rescue as well as the Red Cross were at the briefing.

Dillabough said that all those agencies would be involved if a flood happens.

The Ministry of Natural Resources monitors water levels in the river north of Searchmont at this time of year in hopes of giving residents on vulnerable areas of the Goulais River early enough warning to prevent loss of life, protect infrastructure and safeguard property.

In 1988, the last time the Goulais River flooded significantly, a provincial emergency was declared.

Dillabough said that $250,000 in damages to 125 homes on Pine Shores Road and hydroelectric infrastructure occurred that year.

He also said that periodic localized flooding and slumps, or river bank collapses, have caused significant localized damage along the Pine Shores Road, at Kirby's Corners, Grant's Landing, Island Road and the Olar Subdivision.

The Goulais River is about 70 kilometres long, crosses 13 townships in the Sault area and the river banks and watershed are made of a clay-sand mix that erodes unpredictably.

Maps detailing areas at highest risk of flooding are available through Ministry of Natural Resources Offices.

To read an open letter to residents along the Goulais River from MNR, click here.

To read a letter from the Canadian Red Cross, click here.