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 3:59pm Friday April 7, 2022.
This message 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 weather and forecasted daytime temperatures in the 5°C to 10°C range over the next week water levels and river flows are expected to rise.
With rain, warmer temperatures and melting snow, banks and shorelines adjacent to water bodies can be extremely slippery and unstable. Ice conditions are deteriorating. Residents and visitors
should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.
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.
Up to 10 mm of rain and 5 cm 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 5°C
and 10°C while nighttime lows range between +4°C and -5°C in the area.
Description of Current Conditions.
Water levels in managed lakes are within their seasonal operating range for this time of year. The most recent snowpack reading from March 23 showed a near average snowpack for this time of year.
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 couple 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.