You know winter is waning when officials start removing ice from Parks Creek near Lakeshore Drive.
That work starts Monday, March 17 and the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority is urging the public and snowmobilers to stay off the creek and away from the mouth of the creek at Lake Nipissing.
“The purpose of removing the ice on the creek is to allow spring runoff from the ongoing melt and precipitation to flow unobstructed into Lake Nipissing and prevent flooding in the lower reaches of the creek,” says Robin Allen, Interim CAO and Secretary Treasurer.
NBMCA assesses the capacity of Parks Creek to absorb the spring melt and manages the flood control structure at the Eva Wardlaw Conservation Area to ensure people and property along the creek are safe from the risks associated with flooding.
Officials say the aim is to prevent basement flooding and overcharging the municipal storm sewer system for approximately 500 homes.
“Ice removal will also continue a short distance into Lake Nipissing,” says Darrell O’Neill, Lands and Property Foreperson.
The flood control structure was installed in the mid-1990s.
