Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
On Monday, the park received up to 100 mm of precipitation in some areas, falling as both snow and rain. The high-elevation areas, such as the Skyline trail, received an estimated snow accumulation of up to 70 cm, while lower elevations experienced lesser amounts. The heavy snowfall resulted in widespread tree damage, making travel conditions on trails challenging and, in some cases, impassable, with Parks Canada having to rescue dozens of people who were left stranded in some areas.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is currently dealing with unusually high water levels in lakes Simcoe and Couchiching due to recent warm weather conditions. Parks Canada opened the discharge valves at Lock 42 to release some water through the Severn and into Georgian Bay. This action, however, has created potential hazards for those in the area, including the possibility of thin ice, fast-moving ice, and fast-moving water.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry has reissued the flood warning for the Goulais River. Water levels are now above flood threshold levels and flooding is already occurring in low lying areas. Residents of Sault Ste. Marie are advised to avoid fast-moving water and to keep updated on water conditions.
