Provincial Government Announce Consolidating Proposal

The Provincial Government has announced a proposal to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven new regional conservation authorities. 

Under the proposal, Otonabee Conservation would join the newly proposed Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority, bringing together seven existing conservation authorities:

  • Otonabee Conservation
  • Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
  • Kawartha Conservation
  • Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
  • Lower Trent Conservation Authority
  • Crowe Valley Conservation Authority
  • Quinte Conservation

Residents are encouraged to read the full proposal and submit comments through the Environmental Registry of Ontario at HERE. Comments must be submitted by December 22, 2025.

 

 

Read the News Release from the Ontario Government 

Floodplain Mapping

One of the principle directives of Otonabee Conservation is to reduce the risk to life and damage to property caused by natural hazards such as flooding. Building in these areas can result in damage to properties when flooding or erosion occurs, and in extreme cases can result in loss of life and damage to property. Floods account for the largest portion of disaster recovery costs on an annual basis in Canada.

Accurate and up to date mapping for natural hazards such as flooding is vital to protect our communities from these hazards and the damage costs that go with them. 

Why Floodplain Mapping is Important

 Understanding risk to people and property

  • Identify areas at risk of flooding during severe storms
  • Support emergency planning and response
  • Guide responsible land use and development decisions

The benefit of updated floodplain maps

  • More accurate identification of flood-prone properties and infrastructure versus outdated mapping
  • Faster development application reviews
  • Fewer studies needed before development
  • Improved emergency notifications and emergency planning
  • Assist with identifying flood reduction opportunities

In Otonabee Conservation's watershed, the flood standard is the Timmins Regional Storm, a large storm event that occurred in Timmins Ontario, in 1961. All floodplain maps in the Otonabee Conservation watershed use this storm event as the regulatory standard.

What Types of Flooding Can Affect You?

Did you know there are several types of flooding? 

  • RIVERINE FLOODING occurs when the water levels of rivers rise, overflowing their banks. Otonabee Conservation studies and maps this type of flooding and regulates development within and adjacent to floodplains.
  • SHORELINE FLOODING occurs when critical high-water levels and waves result in shoreline flooding and/or erosion. Otonabee Conservation regulates development within and adjacent to recorded high water levels of the Kawartha Lakes.
  • URBAN FLOODING consists of street flooding, basement flooding, and flooding of other low-lying areas due to the overflow of local drainage systems. Municipalities are responsible for managing this type of flooding.

 

Floodplain Mapping Studies

Jackson Creek flows through the historically built up downtown, and many of its reaches are buried under buildings and bridges.

The historical development has exacerbated flooding conditions during big rain events, including the 2004 storm which spilled out across the downtown causing major flood damage.

Jackson Creek is unique in that a flood control weir, constructed in 1988, attenuates peak flows during times of flooding, assisting in limiting the extent of the regulatory storm. This weir is included in the regulatory floodplain model. The recently completed Bethune Street diversion sewer is not included in the model, but does contribute to a reduced flood risk to the downtown core.

This model uses novel 2D modelling techniques to describe the complicated urban flow paths that characterize the floodplain in downtown Peterborough. The project went through public consultation in summer of 2025 and was approved by the Board of Directors on September 25, 2025. 

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

 

Otonabee Conservation has completed new mapping for Byersville Creek. The Byersville Creek watershed is about 12 km 2  or about 20% of the City of Peterborough's Land area.

Based on the city’s average population density, approximately 15,500 people reside within the watershed.

The upper and lower reaches of Byersville Creek and its tributaries span across low density residential areas mixed with commercial and industrial land uses with interspersed green spaces.

The mapping was completed using a novel 2D modelling approach to characterize the complex urban flow paths floodwaters take. This mapping was part of a virtual Public Information Centre that ran from January 13th to February 26th, 2025. We thank watershed residents for their comments and feedback. The mapping was approved by the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors on March 20, 2025.

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

Thompson Creek is located between the Otonabee River and the Trent Canal within the eastern boundary of the City of Peterborough. Thompson Creek has a drainage area of approximately 60 hectares with relatively flat gentle slopes. Flows in the creek are controlled by the Thompson Bay Dam, which is directly influenced by water levels within the Trent Canal. Below the dam, the creek predominately runs through urbanized areas before draining into the Otonabee River.

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

Meade Creek is located on the eastern boundary of the City of Peterborough, Ontario. A small portion of the Creek, approximately 9 km 2 , is located within the City boundaries while the rest is located in the Townships of Douro-Dummer and Otonabee-South Monaghan.

Meade Creek's entire drainage area covers 86 km 2 . This floodplain mapping project area includes a smaller 10 km 2  portion of the total area. The study area is located between the Otonabee River and Little Lake, and Burnham Line; Meade Creek flows into the study area as two separate branches (North Branch and South Branch), each crossing Ashburnham Road before flowing into Little Lake and the Otonabee River.

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

Curtis Creek originates in Douro, Ontario draining many of the wetland areas that fall between the drumlin-dominated landscape into the Otonabee River at Tivey Street in the City of Peterborough.

Flooding is one of the biggest natural hazards within the Curtis Creek sub-watershed. This area has a history of flooding after high rainfall events.

In response to this, the City of Peterborough has completed many box culvert and bridge upgrades through the urban part of this system to alleviate flooding concerns.   

The original floodplain mapping for Curtis Creek included the undersized culvers and bridges, which caused a massive spill are along the original creek bed along to the Otonabee River. The new mapping extends the study limits to the west, and includes the City's new structures, removing the spill.

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

Jackson Creek originates in the Mount Pleasant area of Cavan-Monaghan Township and flows through what is known as the Cavan Bog. These waters make their way to Peterborough along the Jackson Creek Trail and ultimately flow through the downtown core into the Otonabee River.

Jackson Creek's large wetland and swamp areas help dissipate flood waters and impacts downstream. However, due to historical development through the downtown, the Creek has become channelized and its banks and floodplain have been developed. 

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

Baxter Creek originates near the northern edge of the Ganaraska Forest, flowing northward from the Oak Ridges Moraine and eventually draining into the Otonabee River south of Whitfield Landing.

This is a special cold-water stream that provides habitat for many trout species. Along the stream there is a long history of dam and mill construction dating back to the 1800’s. The re-constructed dam at Needler’s Mill in the Village of Millbrook is owned by Otonabee Conservation.

The study area for Baxter Creek extends from the Otonabee River along the main branch and through the Village of Millbrook (about 28 km). It includes all tributaries (about 49 km), which have an upstream drainage area of 125+ Ha, including the headwater areas of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

The Lakefield study area includes Rays Creek and six additional tributaries that encompass the entire community of Lakefield.

These streams all originate in and around Lakefield at the south end of Lake Katchewanooka and either flow into the Lake above the lock or drain into the Otonabee River below the lock. The largest is Ray’s Creek, which will be facing the most development pressure in the coming years.

Floodplain maps in the Lakefield study area will help determine the areas of the Lakefield community that are at risk of flooding in or near the downtown area.

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

The Ouse River originates in the wooded swamps of central Dummer and flows southward where its eastern arm dissects the Village of Norwood, eventually joining its western arm and then the Trent River at the east end of Rice Lake.

The study area for the new floodplain maps has been extended west to the Asphodel 7th Line, eastward to the Asphodel 11th Line, and north to Dummer-Asphodel Road. The Two-Zone Policies have not changed, however some of the areas have been impacted.

To request floodplain maps, two-zone inquiries, or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

The Kawartha Lakes are part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, a historic 386-kilometre canal route that connects Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario. Since the Trent-Severn Waterway is a managed system with dams and locks that is operated by Parks Canada, water flows through it differently than in a natural system.

Along the shoreline of the Kawartha Lakes, the floodline is therefore determined by a known flood elevation. It is defined as the highest water level that has been recorded by Parks Canada.

The Kawartha Lakes North study area encompasses the following Kawartha Lakes:

  • Buckhorn Lake (including Chemong, Pigeon, Big Bald, and Little Bald Lakes)
  • Lower Buckhorn Lake
  • Lovesick Lake
  • Stony Lake and Clear Lake
  • Lake Katchewanooka

The Kawartha Lakes South study area includes:

  • Rice Lake

To request floodplain maps or property specific flood elevations please use the online inquiry form.

Otonabee Conservation continually updates its priorities with respect to floodplain mapping, but also studying and mapping other hazards including erosion hazards. Find the 2024 Floodplain Mapping Implementation Plan on the right hand side of this page that outlines the strategic floodplain mapping priorities of Otonabee Conservation. 

The maps that Otonabee Conservation create are used for implementation of our Development Regulations - Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits (Ontario Regulation 41/24) and by staff when reviewing development applications. They are also used by municipal staff in preparing official plans and zoning by-laws. Visit our Development Regulations and Plan Review pages for more information.

Otonabee Conservation monitors the watershed for possible flooding - find out more about our Flood Forecasting and Warning program.

Floodplain mapping frequently asked questions (FAQs)

During a flood, water levels rise, inundating areas not normally covered by water. Floodplain maps use data and technical models to predict the path of floodwaters – the area known as the floodplain.

There are many types of information that may be shown with floodplain maps. The most common form of floodplain mapping in Ontario is a Flood Hazard Map, which shows the limit of the regulated flood hazard in conjunction with natural features of the land, and human-made structures such as roads. This type of map is required for land use planning purposes. More detailed maps are typically developed to support emergency response planning. 

The new floodplain maps are used by Otonabee Conservation and our partner municipalities to assist with natural disaster mitigation, emergency response planning and preparedness, and to inform the land-use planning and development process. The maps will also be integrated into municipal Official Plans. This will help mitigate the risks to human life and damage to property.

Floodplain mapping is a tool to protect and respect the floodplain. Flooding poses dangers to people and property. Knowing the extent of the floodplain is critical to reducing potential property damage and risks to public safety, environmental protection, and emergency management. 

The process for mapping floodplain hazards is set out in federal and provincial guidelines. Technical studies of the area are conducted which help experts create models mapping the size and shape of the floodplain. View our Floodplain Mapping Story Map to gain a greater understanding about how floodplain maps are created.

Otonabee Conservations experts in water resources engineering and geographic information systems perform the necessary studies. Once they have all the information they need and have created the floodplain 'models', they create the floodplain map.

Otonabee Conservation works closely with local municipalities and other partners throughout the mapping process.

A public engagement process will occur once the mapping has been completed prior to establishing the maps for use within the Authority's programs and services.

Floodplain maps help protect property and human life. They are planning documents that are used to guide decisions about land use and development. The floodplain map helps to determine where new buildings may be located, if the property in question is at risk during a flood or a storm event. In some cases, it may be necessary for property owners to take measures to protect existing buildings from flooding.

If your property is located within one of our floodplain mapping study areas and it is outside the red floodplain lines, then it is located outside the floodplain.

OR

If your property is located outside one of our floodplain mapping study areas, you may still be located in a floodplain that is not covered by the new mapping.

Potentially. Otonabee Conservation regulates the area that extends a further 15 metres from the edge of the floodplain, therefore the regulated area may still impact a property that is immediately adjacent to a floodplain.

ORCA also regulates natural hazards including wetlands and erosion hazards (steep slopes), Wetland boundaries, steep slopes, and their associated regulated areas are not present on the floodplain mapping. Therefore, a property may still be within a regulated feature and require a permit from Otonabee Conservation. Please search your property on the Regulated Areas Mapping.

NOTE: A regulated area is an area within Otonabee Conservations jurisdiction, as defined in Ontario Regulation 41/24

For example, Otonabee Conservation regulates 30 metres from wetlands and 15 metres from the floodplain. The extent of Otonabee Conservation’s regulated area is dependent upon the feature that is present. If you’re unsure if you require a permit, please fill out a Property Inquiry Form.

Floodplain maps don’t ‘put’ a property in the floodplain; they simply show where the floodplain is due to natural flooding impacts during large storm events.

The rules around developing in a flooding hazard area have not changed; the maps are new tools that help us determine up-front if proposed development is at risk for flooding

These maps were previously subject to public consultation and this information has already been incorporated into the Peterborough County Official Plan.

Otonabee Conservation regulations do not apply on lands that are set aside as reserves for First Nations people under Federal legislation.

Knowing that your property is within the floodplain will help you better understand your risk and prepare for any future flooding. Knowing where the floodplain is on your property can help you determine where you can safely construct a new building or addition early in your planning process, without having to pay for a surveyor.

Basemaps for our Floodplain Mapping projects are provided to us through our mapping software, ArcGIS Online and ESRI Canada. These topographic basemaps include highways, major roads, minor roads, railways, water features, cities, parks, landmarks, building footprints, and administrative boundaries. Basemaps are created on a Canada-wide or Global scale. When the boundaries for these features are defined, the presentation of a feature may not be accurate based on the methods used to create the representation. Also, depending on the date of data collection for the basemap, some features may be outdated.

 Otonabee Conservation overlays a ‘floodplain layer’ onto the existing topographic basemaps to provide a visual representation of the extent of floodplain and unfortunately we are unable to make changes or corrections to the ArcGIS/ESRI basemaps.

If you are concerned about current flooding conditions, please check our website for flood messages.

Floodplain Mapping

Information Video

Completed floodplain mapping studies

Story Map

Latest Update

Regulated Area Mapping (CA MAP)

Floodplain Mapping

Implementation Strategy

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