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History of Flooding Dotes Back to 1850 Since its beginning, Port Hope has been plagued with floods from high flows and ice jams. On January 19, 1929 and on January 14, 1937, exceptionally severe flooding occurred. occurred. The March 21, 1980 flood was probably the most damaging, however the 1929 and 1937 floods were of similar similar magnitudes. Numerous lesser floods have been recorded, however the damages were not nearly as extensive. March 21, 1980 Rainfall throughout the Ganaraska Watershed began after 1 a.m. March 21st and lasted for 20 to 21 hours. Rainfall amounts during this period varied between 60 and 68.6 mm, (2.4 and 2.7 inches). Storms of this magnitude would occur in March an average of once in 50 years. The last remnants of snow melted during the very mild days before March 21st and the depression storage such as furrows in ploughed fields, was already filled with snow melt. The ground was also impermeable because of the frost. When the rain arrived on March 21st, 87% of the rainfall ran off the ground immediately. During average summer conditions conditions only about 15% of the rainfall would run off directly. The runoff from the rainfall on March 21st was therefore six times more severe than had it occurred during the late spring, summer or fall. 1850 - road damage, Gillespie Tavern carried away; damage damage to the Waddell's mill dam; river 10 feet above normal. 1878 - Smith store building, Walton Street, swept away; 2 bridges carried away; 14 dams wiped out. 1890 - every bridge on river washed out; stores damaged on Walton Street, child drowned. 1906 - damage to residences, stores and municipal services; services; flow topped Ontario and Walton Street bridges. 1909 - 2 town bridges demolished; worst flood on record. 1929 - (January) flooded Cavan, Ontario, Walton and Queen Streets; dozens of stores flooded; six stores damaged; Nicholson File Plant flooded; Barrett Street bridge washed away; property damage to the extent of $250,000. 1929 - (March) overflowed banks at Ontario (Ganaraska) Hotel and the Nicholson File Plant. 1936 - March 8th and 9th, ice jam; Cavan Street flooded. 1937 - Ontario and Walton Streets flooded; estimated damage $75,000 to $100,000. 1955 - March 11th, Ganaraska River 9 feet above normal; Cavan Street flooded; water at road level at Ontario Street bridge. 1957 - February 11th, Ontario Street flooded and busi nesses near Happy Home Bakery were flooded to 1 1/2 feet. 1967 - Flood waters and ice over-topped the river bank and damaged some nearby cars. 1973 - March 6th, ice jam at Reynold's Bridge, extensive damage to Durham Motors Ltd. and automobiles, two cars washed into the harbour. 1974 - January 27th, ice jam flooded Durham Motors Ltd and Loblaws parking lot; damages to automobiles. Looking for a New Venue For Your Christmas Party? Flood Control and Land Use In southern Ontario and some northern Ontario cities, conservation Authorities are the lead agencies in flood forecasting and warning. The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority uses a combination of stream and weather monitoring equipment, equipment, land use planning and flood plain regulations to ensure ensure that flooding does not endanger lives and property. In addition, the Authority has been involved in a number of structural flood control projects over the years. The Port Hope channelization project was completed in 1984 after a severe flood occurred in March of 1980 causing an estimated $2,000,000 in damage to downtown Port Hope. Since that time the Authority has made significant significant improvements to its flood forecasting and warning capabilities and undertaken a number of structural improvements improvements to some of its dam structures. The Authority maintains and operates a network of five automated stream gauges and four remote access rain gauges used to monitor information on precipitation and river water levels. The Authority also operates a weather station at the Ganaraska Forest Centre near Eliza- bethville. In the winter months, Authority staff measure snow pack depths and moisture content as part of a Provincial network. This information is used to calculate the water content in the snow which aids in predicting flood potential and watercourse reactions to melt periods and spring runoff events. In addition, the Authority also maintains dams at the Garden Hill Conservation Area, Balls Mill C.A. and Corbett's Dam on the Ganaraska River River in Port Hope. The Authority uses this information to provide watershed watershed municipalities with effective early warnings of serious serious flooding situations. Area municipalities and emergency emergency response agencies are advised and kept informed of flooding potential and conditions occurring throughout the watershed. The GRCA maintains and distributes an updated Flood Warning Plan each year to all area municipalities municipalities and departments involved in Emergency Planning. Planning. Flood Forecasting and Warning techniques along with structural controls form only part of the work undertaken by the Authority in terms of water management and flood control. Preventative measures such as flood plain regula- | aHotHer Mice feature ■ 16- THAT IT \e LpCATEP iN A valley with A Nice STREAM RUNHiHg THROUGH THE PROPERTY tions and proper land use planning ensure that hazardous areas are avoided and sensitive environmental features are protected when development is considered throughout the watershed. The Authority assists the local municipalities municipalities by providing input and advice on land use planning applications circulated to our office. In addition, Authority Authority staff administer Flood Plain Regulations and permitting permitting procedures to control the placement of fill, construction construction and watercourse alterations within defined flood plains and valleylands. These regulations are used to ensure ensure that new development and construction activities are adequately protected from flooding hazards and do not negatively affect watercourses, steep slopes, sensitive valleylands valleylands and wetland areas. Unrestricted development or indiscriminate filling within a regulated area could result in increased flooding problems, threats to public safety and damage to public and private property. These development development controls also assist in minimizing the potential for detrimental damage to the natural ecosystem. It has been proven many times over that a preventative approach and development controls for hazardous hazardous areas (such as flood and erosion prone areas) is the most cost effective method of minimizing risk to life and property property damage. It is much cheaper to prevent development from occurring in these hazardous hazardous areas than to build structures and mechanisms to protect the development from the forces of nature. Ironically, the Authority's role in flood forecasting and warning would be greatly reduced if it was not for the fact that many towns and villages villages were developed in areas near rivers and shorelines. These areas were prone to flooding and erosion problems long before modern development controls were in place. The Authority assists its local and provincial partners to ensure that new development development is protected from these natural hazards while at that same time ensuring that existing flooding problems are not aggravated aggravated by new development. The Port of Newcastle Marina is the Perfect Setting for any occasion. • Corporate Functions • • Parties • • Weddings • • Social Gatherings • For reservations, please phone Allan Wilson 905-987-5251 WASTE SYSTEMS LTD. RR #1 LOB 1 MO