The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety Bulletin is in effect in the District until Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Residents in 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, should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of
children and pets due to high water levels and river flows in the area.
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.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.
The area has received approximately 105mm of rain over the past three weeks causing water levels and flows in local lakes and rivers to rise higher than normal for this time of year.
The 7-day weather forecast issued by Environment Canada is also calling for chance of showers and thunderstorms June 15-17 with daytime high temperatures ranging from 20°C to 27°C.
Water levels and river flows are generally higher than normal in the Parry Sound and Muskoka area for this time of year. Some areas typically used for recreation and access to the water are inundated and/or experiencing high river flows making access difficult or
possibly dangerous in some locations.
Additional rain as forecasted will cause water levels and river flows to increase further or remain high through the next several days.
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.
