As spring freshet begins, be cautious around waterbodies: NDMNRF

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry–Parry Sound District has issued a water safety statement, in effect until Friday, March 25, 2022.

With recent mild temperatures and forecasted daytime highs generally above 0 degrees Celsius over the next week, water levels and river flows are anticipated to begin to rise.

Residents are reminded to keep a close watch on conditions and regularly check for updated messages. With rain, warmer temperatures, and melting snow, banks and shorelines adjacent to waterbodies can be extremely slippery and unstable. Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets. Ice conditions are deteriorating.

Up to 20mm of rain and 5cm of snow is forecasted over the next seven days across the Parry Sound and Muskoka area. Daytime highs over the next week are forecasted to range between 6 degrees Celsius and 3 degrees Celsius, while nighttime lows range between +2 and -8 degrees Celsius in the more southern portions of the area.

Water levels in most lakes are within their seasonal operating range for this time of year. The current snowpack ranges from eight per cent above average in the Muskoka area to 23 per cent above average in the Magnetawan area. The forecasted warm weather, limited rain and a melting snowpack will result in runoff that will cause lake levels and river flows to start to rise over the next few weeks.

Flooding is not anticipated at this time.

NDMNRF also advises extreme caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as they may become seasonally inundated with water, are prone to washouts and may become impassible due to localized flooding.