The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook Bulletin is in effect in the district until Thursday, January 12, 2023.
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.
Any ice on local waterbodies is not safe.
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.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
The area has experienced mild weather with rainfall over the past week following a significant winter storm from December 23-27 that dropped substantial snow across the area. An additional 30mm of rain over the past 24 has caused 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 mild daytime highs of 1 degree through tomorrow and overnight lows of minus 1 tonight and minus 5 degrees Celsius tomorrow before colder day and nighttime temperatures settle in.
Description of Current Conditions
Water levels and river flows are higher than normal in the Parry Sound and Muskoka area for this time of year.
Runoff from rain and snowmelt is expected to cause water levels and river flows to increase further or remain high through the next several days. Nuisance flooding in some flood-prone locations will likely occur before water levels are expected to recede with colder weather forecasted into next week.
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