Due to the risk of ice jams, Maitland Conservation is issuing a Flood Watch for the Lower Maitland River including Saltford, and the mouth of the Nine Mile River in Port Albert.
Upstream watercourses in the eastern portion of the watershed have peaked and high flows are slowly continuing downstream. These flows are carrying broken ice which is building up at localized areas along the Lower Maitland River. There is the potential for ice jams to form at any major crossings, culverts, and river bends upstream of major river outlets. Ice jams are very unpredictable and bring the risk of flooding to low-lying structures and roadways regardless of flood-prone history.
It is difficult to predict where ice jams will form and how long they will persist. Municipal staff is asked to monitor crossing structures for ice jams and localized flooding. Residents are reminded not to attempt to drive or walk through flooded areas. Conditions can change rapidly, and access routes can quickly be cut off.
Maitland Conservation staff will be closely monitoring the situation over the next 48 hours and will provide an update if conditions change. This message will remain in place until 4:00 pm on Monday, February 21, 2022.
