Here Is A Look At The Rising Waters Along The Otonabee (And A Notice From Peterborough Public Health)

UPDATE (May 6th): Here is the latest flood warning update/info from the City of Peteborough.

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ORIGINAL POST

With more rain falling, the lake levels and water flows are still rising—and officials expect that to continue with the current weather conditions. Here are some pictures below and a notice from Peteborough Public Health on drinking water.

Here are the docks at Little Lake...

Here are the banks along the Holiday Inn in Peterborough...

The Holiday Inn has put up flood barrier...

photo by Scott Arnold

The Otonabee River South of Lakefield looking angry... (Officials remind people not to go out on boats and canoes on rivers and lakes.)

These culverts around side roads are also dangerous officials say, as the suction can easily hold someone under water...

Here is Lock 19 where the water is as high as the locks and is flowing straight though...

Peterborough Public Health is reminding the public about drinking water safety following the recent notification from the City of Peterborough that the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant is in by-pass mode.

“The good news is that wastewater entering the Otonabee River is still 99% treated so with the current volumes and rate of flow there should be no significant risk to those downstream and there is no serious risk to public health,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “However, this is still a good reminder to all residents who draw water from wells to take the necessary precautions when flooding occurs to prevent illness.”

People who live south of the sewage treatment plant and draw their water from the river should check that their water treatment systems are functioning properly.

Residents are advised to ensure their wells are safe by testing regularly and using a method of disinfection prior to drinking, especially during flooding periods. Water from flooded wells can be treated and made safe for drinking by rapidly boiling the water for at least one minute or by adding two drops of household bleach per one liter of water, stirring, and allowing the water to sit for 30 minutes before use.

Residents who live on the municipal water system are not impacted.

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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Flood Warning, Sewage Treatment By-pass Notification and Boil Water Advisory

The City of Peterborough has issued the following media release regarding the flood threat...

"A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. Otonabee Conservation has advised that water levels on the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River could reach unprecendented levels in the coming days.

As a result of the current watershed and weather conditions, the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant is now in secondary by-pass mode, and the Park Street pumping station is in full by-pass mode. Residents downstream of these locations who draw water from the river are advised to take necessary precautions and boil water.

City residents in low lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.    

Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved, and other personal effects should be moved to higher ground and may wish to move personal belongings from lower levels of their home. Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies at the ready, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

If at anytime city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1."

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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ORCA Warns About Potential Of Serious Flooding In Kawarthas

Otonabee Region Conservation Authority has issued a Flood Warning Update for all watercourses and waterbodies within the Otonabee Region watershed.

Current watershed conditions, combined with the latest weather forecast, suggest that water levels on the Kawartha Lakes (Buckhorn, Chemong, Pigeon, Lower Buckhorn, Lovesick, Stony, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes) could experience unprecedented heights in the coming days. Therefore, residents on these lakes are advised to prepare now by taking appropriate steps to protect themselves, their family members, their pets and their personal property.

In particular, the following known historical flood-vulnerable areas are advised to take heed of this flood warning (note that this is not an exhaustive list)...

In addition, the Otonabee Conservation advises that the Otonabee River may also experience unprecedented water levels/flows as a result of current watershed conditions, combined with the updated weather forecast.

Therefore, residents located in historically flood-prone areas are hereby advised to take appropriate steps to protect themselves, their family members, their pets and their personal property ahead of the rising waters. In particular, the following known flood-vulnerable areas are advised to take heed of this flood warning: Cambelltown; Rosa Landing Road; Bensfort Bridge area; Jones Road; Deyell Road; Seven Oaks Drive; Wallace Point area; Cedar Bank Road; Green Acres Road; and, Willow Road / Matchett Line area (note that this is not an exhaustive list).

As the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River rise, there may also be backwater and/or tailwater conditions that cause flooding on the tributaries to these waterbodies / watercourses including, but are not limited to, Ray’s, Sawer, Jackson, Meade, Byersville, Riverview, Tompson, Bears, Cavan, Baxter and Squirrel Creeks.

Furthermore, throughout the remainder of the Otonabee Region watershed, significant pooling/ponding can be expected in low lying areas where there is poor drainage. As well, local rivers (Indian and Ouse Rivers) and creeks, which are already flowing at rates well-above normal, will continue to experience very high flows, and may even exceed their normal confines in those areas of low sidewalls/banks. Hence, area residents located in historical flood-vulnerable areas are advised to prepare.

Also, area residents, as well as visitors to the area, are advised to observe caution around all waterbodies and watercourses because area lakes, rivers, streams and creeks pose a serious danger due to high levels, very fast flows and extremely cold water temperatures. Dams, culverts and other water control/water conveyance structures are to be avoided at all times.

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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St. Paul School In Norwood Is Sending 160 Dresses To Girls In Impoverished Countries Around World

There are 120 dresses hanging in the main hall of St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Norwood and pretty soon there will be 160—one for every girl in the school.

They used to be plain cotton T-shirts and fabric. Now they are vibrant and colourful. They have pockets and lace, polka dots and stripes, flowers and plaid.

Lined up together, hanging on a clothesline, the dresses make a powerful statement. They were sewn by the Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students, many of whom had never used a sewing machine before. The material for the dresses was fundraised for and donated by the school community.

The dresses will soon be shipped across the world and given to girls in impoverished countries where not owning a dress can mean not going to school.

Michele Keating is the Special Education Resource Teacher at St. Paul Norwood and an avid seamstress who runs the school’s knitting and sewing clubs.

Supporting the charity Dress a Girl Around the World, Keating had planned to make a handful of T-shirt dresses with a handful of interested students. Interest spread, and soon enough, every Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 student wanted to take part.

The school held a fundraiser to purchase supplies. The community responded, dropping off material and volunteering to sew. Keating set the goal to make 160 dresses to represent the school’s 160 girls.

“The response from the students has been amazing," Keating says. "Every student who has made a dress has been so proud of themselves. The teachers are happy with it too, not only because it’s a great social justice cause, but we cover a lot of math curriculum, a lot of formulas for figuring out area and a lot of real-life application of measurement."

“It has really brought our whole school community together," she adds. "There was no way on earth we could have done this if I didn’t have volunteers from our community and people dropping off material. There was a whole box of lace that was randomly dropped off in my room one day. It started out being some small thing and it spread through our school and through our community.”

School principal Rob Citro takes some sewing instruction from Michele Keating.

Today, Keating has some special helpers to contribute in the homestretch of the project. Director of education Michael Nasello, school superintendent Timothy Moloney and school principal Rob Citro are making their own dresses under the supervision of experienced Grade 8s.

“I learned that you don’t have to do much to make a big difference in someone else’s life,” says Grade 8 student Eliza Buchanan, who was helping Moloney navigate the sewing machine. “You’re making something and it’s such a little thing for you, but it’s going to be something so big for the girl who gets this dress. It’s really inspiring.”

Grade 8 student Eliza Buchanan

“I think it will make us feel really good seeing all the dresses lined up in the hall because you’re doing something for other people, not ourselves, people who are less fortunate,” says Grade 8 student John Hughes, who co-created a dress with Nasello.

Director of education Michael Nasello shakes hands with sewing partner Grade 8 John Hughes

While working with the students, Nasello said one word came to mind: dignity.

“There is something really special about clothing," he says. "Clothing is not only providing a necessity of life, but it gives a person dignity. To reach out and support young people the same age or younger and to bestow some sense of dignity and support in their lives, I think is the most important type of outreach. I’m so amazed that there is an initiative like this and that it’s really involving students and adults working together to do something good for young people around the world.”

—guest post by Galen Eagle

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Peterborough Area Roller Derby Hits Track In Support Of Peterborough Humane Society

Peterborough Area Roller Derby's season opener—The Pivot of Oz—on Saturday, May 27th will put a little extra love in the lives of animals currently living at the Peterborough Humane Society shelter. Normal ticket prices for the double header are $15 per person at the door, with children under 10 free, but on May 27th fans can save $2 off their admission with a donation to the shelter.

The Peterborough Humane Society is looking for donations of non-clumping cat litter, unopened Royal Canin wet cat and kitten food, leashes, collars, gently used clean linens, dish soap, and kitten formula, among other items. Cash donations are also welcomed.

Photo by Heather Doughty Photography

The Pivot of Oz happens at the Douro Arena and Community Centre at 2893 Highway 28. Doors open at 4 p.m., with full contact games starting at 5 and 7 p.m. Games feature Toronto Mens Roller Derby’s “Toronto Outrage” versus a surprise rival team and PARD’s "Riverside Riot Squad" versus GTARollergirls’s “Derby Debutantes” in the later game.

There will be a variety of items from local vendors, league merchandise and snacks available for purchase and some fun family friendly games and entertainment at half-time. There is no ATM on site, so spectators are asked to bring cash.

For more information about Peterborough Area Roller Derby, click here.

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Happy Gilmour! The Biggest Street Sale In Peterborough Is May 27th

It's the 27th Annual Gilmour Street Garage Sale this May—one of the can't miss community events of the year in the city.

As per tradition, the Gilmour Street Garage Sale falls on the Saturday after the long weekend. This year, it's Saturday, May 27th (with a Sunday rain-date) starting at 9 a.m.—although people have been known to show up much earlier than that in the hunt for a good bargain.

The biggest street sale in all of Peterborough—it extends out to many other streets in the neighbourhood, and there are also many sales for charitable organizations in town.

It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., don't miss it!! Share on your social media channels!!

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Lakefield's Hard Winter Bread Company Launches Custom Built Mobile, Wood-Fired Bagel Oven

The Lakefield-based sourdough bakery Hard Winter Bread Company has announced it will now be adding delicious Montreal-style bagels to their market tables this spring.

The company—which is run by couple Graham Thoem and Jessica Arsenault—prides itself on creating simple, healthy foods using quality ingredients. They will be baking the fresh bagels on-site at markets in the Kawarthas in their new custom built, mobile wood-fired oven.

“Our time living in Montreal is when we understood the makings of a perfect bagel," says co-owner Graham Thoem. “They need to be handmade, and they must be wood-fired. When it comes to the texture, flavour and authenticity, a live wood fire is the secret to a truly Montreal-style bagel.”

Co-owner Jessica Arsenault adds that the expansion will be part production, part performance. "Customers will find us rolling, boiling and baking bagels right on site at markets," she says.

For the expansion into mobile production, the couple enlisted the help of world-renowned mason and oven-builder, Alex Chernov, from Stovemaster in Orangeville.

Beginning Saturday, May 13th, customers can find Hard Winter Bagels at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market until October. They will also be available at the weekly Lakefield Farmers’ Market.

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Girl Power: National Girls Learning Code Day Comes To Peterborough

The Innovation Cluster - Peterborough and the Kawarthas, will be hosting the Peterborough region of the 4th annual National Girls Learning Code Day at the downtown Cube. The workshop takes place Saturday, May 13th, and is for girls aged 8 to 13 and their parents.

Hosted by the Ladies Learning Code—a Canada-wide not-for-profit organization that provides resources for women and children to learn skills in technology in a social and collaborative way and develop digital literacy—it will be giving the opportunity for girls to learn coding in a welcoming environment.

During this event, the girls will work with mentors of the organization and will be introduced to basic coding technology. Using a program called Scratch, children can develop skills in graphic design, HTML, game development, programming, sound design and more by understanding code.

By participating in the workshop, it will help girls discover at an early age if they would like to pursue learning technology innovation further in their future education.

By the end of the workshop, the girls will have created from Scratch an animated, interactive story by learning basic code and design. They will each have a chance to showcase their work to the group to practice their presentation skills.

Those who participate should be at the Innovation Cluster at 1 p.m. for the three hour workshop. You can register here.

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Winter Coat Collection For United Way Peterborough's Coats For Kids Program Starting May 8th

United Way of Peterborough & District’s Coats for Kids and Grown-Ups Too program strives to ensure that children and their families will be warm during the winter by providing clean, gently-used winter wear to children, youth, and adults in Peterborough City and County.

This program provides much needed relief to local families as one in six children in Peterborough lives in poverty. Families continue to deal with sharply rising costs of living and simply don’t have the means to purchase clothing to stay warm during the harsh winter months.

United Way Peterborough file photo

Coats for Kids is possible due to the generous support of Peterborough residents, community organizations, and program partners.

Since 1986, individuals and families have donated gently worn winter wear which is then cleaned at no cost to the program by local dry cleaning providers. Grainger Cleaners, Kent Cleaners, Lakefield Cleaners, and Windsor’s Dry Cleaning Centre have been active and committed program partners since the program began 29 years ago.

United Way Peterborough file photo

This year, winter coat collection will take place Monday, May 8th to Saturday, May 13th at the following locations:

-> Kent Cleaners – 183 Lansdowne St E
-> Grainger Cleaners – 885 Lansdowne Street W
-> LakefieldCleaners – Moody Plaza, Lakefield
-> Windsor’s Cleaners – Parkhill Plaza, Monaghan Rd
-> Windsor’s Cleaners – Kawartha Hts Plaza,1600 Lansdowne St
-> Windsor’s Cleaners – Riverview Plaza, Water St & Marina Blvd

United Way Peterborough file photo

Other community partners such as Global Point Logistics and McWilliams Moving & Storage have ensured that cleaned coats can be stored.

United Way Peterborough & District invests in a network of essential services to help children and families in need, seniors, and individuals struggling with life’s challenges. The Coats for Kids program is just one of many ways UW helps those in need in the community.

To learn more about the United Way, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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