Muskoka resident Amanda Beaumont is raising an alarm about the District of Muskoka’s upcoming official plan review and changes proposed to its floodplain mapping.
She is concerned that the District of Muskoka (DMM) is planning to significantly change floodplain zoning on properties in low-lying areas across its 5,000 square kilometres of territory. “If adopted, these changes will halt any and all future plans for development on these lands,” she notes, adding that the communication regarding proposed changes has been poor.
Beaumont, who lives in Bracebridge, said that while she understands there are concerns about an increase in flooding incidents, which officials attribute to climate change, she questions where the responsibility for managing the watershed lies.
“Yes, the climate is changing absolutely. Has it changed that much in 13 years? Absolutely not,” said Beaumont, who also questioned how the Ministry of Natural Resources is managing the watershed.
“Instead of bringing the MNR to the table and holding their feet to the fire and making them responsible for the mismanagement of the watershed, they’re just going to put these restrictions in place on the property owners immediately. Which, I mean, is putting the cart before the horse. Let’s deal with the management of the watershed, and if there’s truly an issue and the runoff has truly changed, and that’s actually required, then fine, we can look at expanding the floodplain a little bit, but not what they’re doing. What they’re proposing is extreme,” she said.
“We’re fifth generation on land that the Beaumonts have been on and farmed since 1895. If this passes, this means that the land that our ancestors and five generations have protected, my son will not be able to live on our farm. He will not be able to sever a piece of property, build on it, and be part of the group of people who have protected and been on our land for more than 100 years. This is insane,” she said, adding that the floodplain mapping lines are being significantly impacted under the proposed amendment all over Muskoka, and people in and around water should sit up and take notice.
The newly proposed floodplain mapping can be reviewed here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4aefea73e8684812a2e3d0bf8006ca50/page/2D
Key Components of OPA 61
- Component 1: Growth Strategy: Focuses on housing supply, complete communities, and directing future development.
- Component 2: Resort Development: Updates policies for economic vitality in the tourism sector.
- Component 3: Environmental Resiliency: Strengthens policies on climate action, watershed management, and floodplains.
- Component 4: Lake System Health: Implements more rigorous, science-based policies for water quality protection.
- Component 5: Consolidation of the above, along with policy updates for provincial consistency.
The consolidated draft of OPA 61, including updated schedules and appendices, was made available in April 2026. You can find the District link HERE.
The District Municipality of Muskoka is holding a statutory public meeting to receive and consider comments on OPA 61 amendments on May 21, 2026, at 9 a.m. in its council chambers at 90 Pine Street, Bracebridge. More details on this meeting are available at: https://muskoka.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/44855/?preview=44856
More information regarding proposed updates and amendments to the District Official Plan can also be found at: https://www.engagemuskoka.ca/muskoka-official-plan
Muskoka’s OP has not been updated since 2019.
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Years ago a friend of mine showed me the cottage his Grandmother built in the River Cove area along the Big East. It was built on cement stilts 6 or 8 feet high because of flooding. After that time people built houses in the same area. When they got flooded out they claimed government wasn’t helping them. They should have built on stilts. Hard to feel sorry for people that build in areas that are known to flood!
Well put Allen – our dams and infrastructure can be so insignificant during some storms. Thanks for reminding us.
Interesting to see some of the comments concerning the ‘flood plain’ controversy. What people do with ‘control’ to flooding will alter events little. Since the biblical big one, most have realised our efforts in controlling Mother nature and her fits of pique amount to little.
After the apocalyptic riders had been assigned their mounts, one red, one white, one black and one pale, there seems that there was an oversight. The lady got no horse. Weather is where she shows us that biblical entities on horseback don’t control all the things that can be apocalyptic.
In my youth, folks talked of certain builders who were putting cottages and homes on land prone to flooding. A succession of owners have learned what can happen on a space that in summer and winter can be idyllic, but where spring and some falls can bring a world of woe.
To think that you can center out any government office for not properly ‘controlling’ the water and the flooding is suggesting that the lady can be controlled. Not happening. Dams, channels, canals are all futile efforts when the event comes along. It will come as it aways has.
It’s best to keep back from a temperamental river or stream. Our hunting camp was about 14 feet above the river level and 60 feet or so back, but Hurricane Hazel filled the river and put 2 feet of water on the floor. Another storm left water at the doorstep. Many times after storms and heavy weather, we’ve seen water over the old dam.
I don’t think that people will accept a lot of the government’s pronouncements on the flood plain. Kick and scream as is starting now. But when you build and the insurer says “Hmmm. Here’s the premium”, then you will stop and take note.
We met some people in Australia who had been burned out five or six or seven times. I mentioned that the insurance premium must be high. “Insurance!” he said. “You don’t have insurance living in a gum bush! You get a price. But you can’t afford it.” I think flood plain properties will become like that.
Remember who is in charge of weather. Mother Nature. And in some cases she can be a real ‘mother’.
Council seems to be jumping ahead to make official plan changes quickly. When will someone ask ‘why do these floods keep happening”?
I look forward to more frequent updates now that I am signed up for the newsletters.
This nonsense that climate change is causing these 100 year floods every couple of years if ridiculous. The answer, lets change the Flood Plane. How about lets understand why it keeps happening and lower water levels more quickly in anticipation of more 100 year floods.
Amanda is absolutely right!
Ms. Amanda and all other landowners need to simply understand that the District of Muskoka’s new floodplain zoning is providing everyone an opportunity to understand why their insurance costs are about to go through the roof!
Insurance companies will be charging HUGE premiums for flood damage repair. Or soon, they simply will not insure many homeowners and landowners in high-risk natural disaster zones. Wake up and look at what is happening to homeowners throughout Florida and California due to massive annual flooding and wildfires. They can no longer buy insurance!
Get real and get smart! The District of Muskoka is helping YOU to decide how you are going to live in our brave new changing world with extreme weather events due to climate change.
Best regards,
Catherine MacFarlane