in effect in the district until Thursday, May 18, 2023. This message will affect residents within the MNRF Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District for portions of the District of Parry Sound, District of Muskoka and City of Kawartha Lakes within the Black River, Burnt
River, Magnetawan River, and Muskoka River Watersheds.
Boaters are advised to 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.
Lower–lying portions of known flood–prone areas may still be impacted to various degrees as lake/river levels as anticipated to remain high for the next several days.
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.
Description of Weather System
Runoff from significant rainfall that the area received on April 28 through May 2, 2023, has decreased over the past several days.
Weather forecasts call for seasonal to above seasonal temperatures with minimal rainfall over the next 14–days.
Description of Current Conditions
Lake water levels are generally within their normal ranges with the exception of a few locations within the Muskoka River watershed where water levels remain higher than normal for this time of year. Where water levels are currently higher than normal it is anticipated they will decline over 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 remaining high flows to work its way through the entire systems. 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.
