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 Friday, April
21, 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 Watch are: Muskoka River Watershed including the Big East River near Huntsville, North Branch Muskoka River from Huntsville to Bracebridge, South
Branch Muskoka River from Baysville to Bracebridge and the Bala Reach and Moon River.
Runoff to local lakes and rivers is increasing significantly. River flows in certain areas are expected rise to flood thresholds with increased runoff.
Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas are likely to be impacted to various degrees as lake/river levels rise over the next few days.
No ice is safe ice. Ice conditions on local lakes have deteriorated with warmer temperatures and changing water levels and flows.
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.
In the meantime, the Town of Huntsville has set up a free sandbag filling station behind the Canada Summit Centre at 20 Park Drive.
Free sandbags and sand are available for filling with a limited amount of pre-filled bags currently available.
*Note that free sandbags are only available to those in low-lying areas.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.
