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 April 1, 2022.
This notice will affect 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 precipitation water levels and river flows in local water bodies have begun to rise.
Residents are reminded to keep a close watch on conditions and regularly check for updated messages.
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 water bodies 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 6mm of rain and 16cm 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 4°C and -8°C while nighttime lows range between -2°C and -15°C.
Description of Current Conditions.
Water levels in managed lakes are within their seasonal operating range for this time of year. The current snowpack water content ranges from an average of 100mm in the Muskoka area to 71mm in the Magnetawan area. The snowpack has lost 30% to 50% of its water content since March 15.
The recent warm weather, limited rain and a melting snowpack has resulted in runoff which is causing water levels and river flows to rise. The forecasted cold weather through the weekend and into next week is anticipated to slow the current runoff and the rise in lake water levels and river flows is expected to slow as well. No flooding is 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.