River Watch tests new technology to monitor rising waters

River Watch will be testing some new technology as it keeps track ofNew Brunswick rivers during flood season.

The annual monitoring program, which begins March 12, provides information about potential flooding and the risk of ice jams and other flood issues forNewBrunswickersliving along rivers prone to spill their banks.

This year, River Watchwill use a flow forecast model called the Raven hydrological framework, developed at the University of Waterloo.

"It will allow the Department of Environment and Local Government, in time, to run much more specific weather-dependent scenarios with controlled time, over a 24/7 period," a department spokesperson said in an email.

Old and new

Officials will still use the old model until all those involved in River Watch arecompletely satisfied with Raven's performance.

Elliot said thegovernment continues to regenerate our existing infrastructure into a modern forecasting approach for the St. John River basin that promotes the public good and ultimately works to protect NewBrunswickers.

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"We are also upgrading our Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) which is the platform on by which all of our models are connected. This will allow for better coordination of our efforts and allow us to be much more efficient in putting out forecasts," Elliot said.

NB Power is also a partner in the initiative.

"We will provide mutual access and use of our data and models, making both of our operations more efficient and accurate."

Weather monitored daily

TheRiver Watch program is a joint effort of two government departments, Environment and Local Government and the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization. In addition to NB Power, other partnersinclude watershed groups, and federal, provincial and U.S. agencies involved in monitoring and forecasting the water flow in New Brunswick rivers and streams.

During River Watch,officials receive a morning weather briefing, collect data from various sources, and use that information for river modelling and forecasting.

If any potential risks are identified, the public is informed.

People living in areas prone to flooding are asked to be prepared. They should have an evacuationplan and be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, various agencies say.

People are also asked to avoid the banks of waterways and to stay off the ice as it becomes unsafe.

Residents should report ice jams and flooding.

People living along the St. John River have experienced flooding numerous times, but the two worst years for flooding in Fredericton were 1973 and 2008.

Water levels in 1973 reached 8.6 metres and 8.3 metres in 2008. The flood stage is 6.5 metres.