The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is in effect
until Friday March 25, 2022.
This will effect residents within the NDMNRF Parry Sound
District which includes the District Municipality of Muskoka, the Territorial District of Parry Sound and a north-west portion in the County of Haliburton.
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.
With rain, warmer temperatures and melting snow, banks and shorelines adjacent to water bodies 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.
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.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
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 forecast to range between 6°C
and 3°C while nighttime lows range between +2 and -8 degrees Celsius in the more southern portions of the area.
Description of Current Conditions.
Water levels in most lakes are within their seasonal operating range for this time of year. The current snowpack ranges from 8% above average in the Muskoka area to 23% above average in the Magnetawan area.
The forecast 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 is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
DEFINITIONS
• WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
• WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions
• FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
• FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
