THUNDER BAY — The Ministry of Natural Resources implemented a flood watch Monday afternoon for a broad area of Northwestern Ontario.
It's advising residents outside the city and in the Ignace, Upsala, Raith, Kashabowie, Shebandowan and Armstrong areas to keep a close watch on local water conditions, due to a weather system that could bring rainfalls ranging from 20 to 50 mm before it moves out of the region.
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority also issued a flood watch earlier in the day.
The MNR said residents should exercise caution around less-traveled roads, lakes, rivers and areas with high potential for run-off.
"There is a risk of high water flows in low-lying areas as well as unstable ice and cold, fast-flowing water," the advisory stated.
The ministry noted the presence of snow in areas of its Thunder Bay Ignace administrative district, and that the ground is not fully thawed.
"Rivers and streams are flowing fast due to spring melt...Increasing flows and ice jams are possible," it cautioned.
The MNR's flood watch is in effect until April 29 at 12 noon.
A rainfall warning for the Thunder Bay region issued by Environment Canada referenced a risk of thunderstorms Monday evening.
