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Flooding in Newfoundland

Bishop's Falls, January 1983

Flooding is part of the natural environmental processes. It is often caused by heavy rainfalls in combination with rapid melting of snow on the ground. Other causes of floods include ice jams in rivers and high tides with storm surges along the coast. Flooding is essential for a healthy ecosystem, however, human encroachment on the flood plains of water bodies means that flooding also causes human hardship and economic loss. Flood damage is an increasing problem in Newfoundland because of increasing population density around water bodies and the higher values of water-front property. More than 57 communities in the province have been affected by flooding which has caused over $40 million in damage over the past 15 years.

Reducing exposure to flood risk is the only cost effective way to minimize future compensation expenses and re-building expenditures.

In Newfoundland, we try to discourage flood-vulnerable development on flood plains. The province, in cooperation with the federal government, undertake hydrotechnical studies and mapping of flood risk areas. The maps, completed for 38 communities so far, delineate the flood risk zones for floods with a return period of 20 years (5% chance in any year) and 100 years (1% chance in any year). These maps are used for public information, municipal planning, development control, and the setting of structural design criteria. All proposed developments in flood risk zones are evaluated against potential impacts on water resources, the structures themselves, and the surrounding areas.

The public information versions of the flood risk maps presented on these pages are suitable for general reference only. More detailed flood risk maps for use by municipal authorities, developers, planners, consultants and other government agencies are available on this webpage.

The maps in the table below are in JPG image and Adobe PDF format. The JPG images are viewable directly in your browser or an image viewing program. The Small JPG files are approximately 800x530 pixels and 80 Kb in size. The Large JPG files are about 1550x1024 pixels and 260 Kb in size. The PDF documents are in Adobe PDF format and, if you have an older browser, may require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing. The PDF documents offer the most detailed resolution and are about 1.1 Mb in size. If you right click on any of the links below and select the "Save as" option you can download that file to your computer for later viewing.

These maps are also available from the Department as 2ftx3ft folded paper maps and please contact us if you wish to obtain a copy.

A page is available with scanned pdf files of all of the hydrotechnical reports produced under this program and digital mapping in the form of AutoCAD files for almost all of these areas.

Flood Risk Public Information Maps

Badger (Current water level information for Badger)	Small JPG   Large JPG    PDF (1.1 MB)
Bishops Falls	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.4 MB)
Brigus	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (488 KB)
Carbonear	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (351 KB)
Codroy Valley	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF
Cox's Cove	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.2 MB)
Deer Lake	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.2 MB)
Ferryland	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (551 KB)
Gaudon's Brook / Cold Brook	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (211 KB)
Glenwood / Appleton	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1 MB)
Glovertown	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (980 KB)
Hant's Harbour	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (547 KB)
Heart's Delight	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (628 KB)
Hickman's Harbour	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (479 KB)
Outer Cove	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (367 KB)
Parson's Pond	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1 MB)
Petty Harbour	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (555 KB)
Placentia	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.2 MB)
Portugal Cove / St. Philips	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (549 KB)
Rushoon	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.2 MB)
Rushy Pond	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.1 MB)
Salmon Cove	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (416 KB)
Shoal Harbour / Hodges Cove	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (514 KB)
Steady Brook	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.3 MB)
Stephenville	Stephenville  1:20 and 1:100 AEP Floodlines 1:100 AEP Climate Change Floodline Cold Brook  1:20 and 1:100 AEP Floodlines 1:100 AEP Climate Change Floodline
Stephenville Crossing/ Black Duck Siding	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.1 MB)
Trout River	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.2 MB)
Victoria	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (553 KB)
Waterford River	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (1.1 MB)
Whitbourne	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (569 KB)
Winterton	Small JPG  Large JPG    PDF (340 KB)

We have also made progress in flood preparedness through the establishment of a provincial flood forecasting centre, in particular, for the communities of Steady Brook, Deer Lake and Badger. Precipitation, temperature and flow data are remotely collected from rivers and downloaded to our computers in St. John’s in near-to-real-time via satellite. Here, using state-of-the-art technology in hydrologic modelling, hydraulic modelling, and data management, as well as local observations, we determine forecasts of river flows and water levels for several days. The information is relayed to Fire Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador for appropriate action as may be necessary in a potential flooding situation. Terminology has been developed to assist in reporting on the different rivers states, progressing from an “advisory” to “watch” to “warning” are:

Spring Runoff Advisory: River levels are rising or expected to rise due to snowmelt and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Anyone situated near the river affected (property owners and the general public) is advised to be cautious of rising levels.

High River Flow Advisory: River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Anyone situated near the river affected is advised to be cautious of the rising levels.

Ice Jam Advisory: The potential exists for sudden increases in river levels both upstream and downstream of the ice jam. Changes in water levels can occur upstream of the jam as water collects behind the jam. If the jam releases suddenly, a surge of water could be sent downstream. Local authorities and residents are advised to monitor the ice covers and water levels in the river, particularly in areas where ice jams have been a problem in the past.

River Breakup Advisory: Generally due to the onset of warmer spring temperatures, the breakup of ice may result in the formation of ice jams. The location and occurrence of ice jams, and possible associated flooding, are very unpredictable. Local authorities and residents are advised to monitor the ice covers and water levels in the river, particularly in areas where ice jams have been a problem in the past.

Flood Watch: River levels are rising and will approach or may exceed river banks. Flooding of areas near the river may occur. Anyone situated near the river affected is advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.

Flood Warning: Rising river levels will result in flooding of areas near the river. Anyone situated near the river affected should take appropriate measures to avoid flood damage.

In the longer term, we undertake flood studies and investigations. These involve collection of hydrologic and hydraulic data, selection of appropriate design philosophies, modelling, post-flooding assessments of damage, and analysis of results. The studies and investigations lead to recommendations for flood control strategies, remedial measures and new flood forecasting systems.

Flooding is a natural event, but its often devastating effects on our lives and properties, can be minimized by proper planning, state-of-the-art flood forecasting systems, and appropriate flood control strategies.

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