THUNDER BAY — The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has a cleanup on its hands in the wake of the massive rainstorm that hit the Thunder Bay area last week.
A deluge of up to 70 mm of rain left a large mound of debris piled against the diversion structure on the Neebing River near Ford Street.
Photos posted on social media show an aluminum boat jammed under the tangled mess.
The diversion structure was installed as part of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway which was completed in 1984.
It controls the flow in the lower Neebing by rerouting excess water through a 2.5 X 2.5 metre opening into the diversion channel, and ultimately to the floodway channel.
Tammy Cook, CEO of the LRCA, said Wednesday the authority is monitoring the blockage and will be working with the City of Thunder Bay to clear the obstruction.
"We're waiting for the water to come down a bit so we can get in there with machinery and remove the blockage. We're just waiting for the area to dry out."
Cook said the LRCA has had to mobilize to remove debris from the diversion structure after some large flood events in the past, but "this is the first time I've seen a boat."
She said she's been told the boat is damaged and beyond repair, so it will likely be disposed of.
