Friday, April 12, 2024, 12:00 pm
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Bulletin is in effect for the district until Friday, April 19, 2024.
This message will affect residents within the MNRF Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District for portions of the District of Parry Sound, District of Muskoka, and City of Kawartha Lake within the Black, Burnt, Gull, Magnetawan and Muskoka River Watersheds.
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement indicating that significant rainfall is expected within the area. Periods of rain is forecasted to continue today through tonight. Periods of rain may mix with or transition to snow overnight, particularly over areas of higher terrain. Precipitation is expected to come to an end Saturday morning.
Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas may be impacted to varying degrees as lake/river levels start to rise in response to significant precipitation. Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.
MNRF also advises extreme caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as they may become seasonally inundated with water, prone to washouts, and impassible due to localized flooding. Residents who have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue to take necessary action to protect/secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions and regularly check for updated messages.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The weather forecast is calling for daytime highs of 6°C to 17°C, and overnight lows are forecasted between -1°C and 7°C for the next 7 days. Forecasts are also anticipating that the area will receive 15-30mm of rain today, with an addition of 25-30mm of rain over the next 7 days. Description of Current Conditions Lake water levels are within their normal ranges for this time of year and are rising with the increased precipitation that has been received with this weather event. River flows and lake levels are expected to increase over the next week as runoff and precipitation move through the system, however, flooding is not expected at this time.
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Here I was thinking how for once the lake would just gradually reach normal level with no flooding. It has been, after all, a great spring, with little frost in the ground to start with and low snow pack and a very gradual melt out process. I thought, well if MNR? kept the levels a little low, then even a storm like this one would not flood things but apparently this was not the option used as it sure looks like we are heading for a high lake level excursion, at least in Lake of Bays and gosh knows how many of the “100 lakes to explore” that our leaders constantly point out to all who will listen.
Barrels for docks will be a project for this weekend I guess.
At least the water is still “wet” and nobody has changed that yet.
Oh yeah, nearly forgot! Anybody want a goose or two or three or 30? These are not the protected “migratory” geese of ages past. No these are the honking, pooping, critters that never used to be here and have now moved into every space they can find. We need a bounty on these things. I can see it now. Deerhurst with 400 red neck hunters with huge raised up diesel trucks and double barrel shotguns out there for the “hunt”. This alone would be an attraction, just watching them get organized.
We could have a wild goose festival. Goose burgers, goose stew, goose sandwiches, heck maybe even a goose Big Mac. Huntsville would be famous!!
(the opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of management)