The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) – Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Flood Watch bulletin is in effect for the area until Friday, April 18, 2025.
The Flood Watch will affect residents within the MNR Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound
District, which includes portions of the District Municipality of Muskoka, and the County of
Haliburton.
Residents should expect water levels and river flows to remain high through the April 12/13
weekend and into the week of April 14-18.
Runoff into local lakes and rivers is anticipated to increase with forecasted rainfall, snow
melt and warm weather.
MNR advises residents to exercise extreme caution concerning ice conditions. No ice is
safe ice. High water levels combined with a forecast for high winds has the potential to
damage shoreline infrastructure due to moving ice.
MNR also advises extreme caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as
many are seasonally inundated with water, prone to washouts and may be impassible due
to current water levels.
Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas will be impacted to varying degrees as
lake and river water levels remain high in response to recent and forecast precipitation and
melting snow in the coming week. Residents and visitors should exercise caution while
around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.
Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should
continue 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
Description of Weather System
Minimum precipitation as snowfall and colder than normal temperatures over the past week
has resulted in declining inflows to local watersheds.
Temperatures over the next 7 days are expected to remain seasonal with daytime highs up
to +14°C and nighttime lows down to -5°C. There is up to 5 mm of rainfall forecasted.
Description of Current Conditions
Lake water levels are generally declining and river flows have decreased over the past
week, but significant snowpack remains across the watersheds with increased runoff from
snowmelt anticipated.
Ice on local lakes and rivers is unsafe and is breaking up. High winds combined with high
water levels have the potential to damage shoreline infrastructure due to moving ice.
DEFINITIONS
- FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and
municipalities - FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses
and municipalities.
LEARN MORE - Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/page/surface-
water-monitoring-centre - Environment Canada bulletins: www. weather.gc.ca
A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment and Climate
Change Canada is recommended.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
0 Comments