The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect in the district until Monday, May 8, 2023. This message will affect residents within the MNRF Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District for portions of the District Municipality of Muskoka. River Sections included in this Flood Warning are: South Branch Muskoka River from Lake of Bays to Bracebridge and the Bala Reach and Moon River. River flows will remain near or above flood thresholds over the weekend.
Lower–lying portions of known flood–prone areas are being impacted to various degrees. Be cautious if traveling on local waterways. Boat traffic during high water conditions can cause damage to shorelines and to shoreline property with vessel wakes.
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.
MNRF 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.
Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should 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.
Description of Weather System
Weather forecasts call for up to 8 mm of rainfall with daytime high temperatures up to 18 degrees Celsius for May 4 to May 11, 2023.
Description of Current Conditions High water levels and river flows continue for Lake of Bays, South Branch Muskoka River, Lake Rosseau and Joseph, Lake Muskoka and the Bala Reach/Moon River.
River flows and lake water levels are expected to remain high for the next several days.
The watersheds are cascading systems – each waterbody feeds into the next downstream.
Runoff from rain and snowmelt cascades and compounds through the entire system affecting water levels in each waterbody. It will take a number of days for the additional rain to work its way through the entire system. Downstream water bodies may experience a delay in the full impact of the upstream inputs.
MNRF 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
• SHORELINE CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that along the Great Lakes shorelines high water, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous but flooding is not expected.
• SHORELINE CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding along the Great Lakes shorelines based on weather and lake conditions, and water safety information.
• FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
• FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect until Friday, May 12, 2023. This message will affect residents within the MNRF Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District for portions of the District of Parry Sound within the unorganized Townships of Mowat, Blair, and McConkey. River Sections included in this Flood Warning are: French River and
Lower Pickerel River. Lower–lying portions of known flood–prone areas are impacted to various degrees.
