Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety Parry Sound District
Thursday, August 23, 2018
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety is in effect for the District which includes the District Municipality of Muskoka, the Territorial District of Parry Sound and a north-west portion of the County of Haliburton.
Residents within the Parry Sound-Muskoka area should keep a close watch on conditions, regularly check for updated messages and exercise caution around water bodies as flows and levels within rivers and streams have recently increased and may rise further in the coming days. Although flooding is not expected at this time, residents may wish to consider taking action to secure or protect any property in flood-prone or vulnerable areas.
It is expected that lower-lying portions of known flood-prone roads along river courses may be impacted to various degrees as river levels remain high.
Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around water bodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.
MNRF also advises extreme caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as many are seasonally inundated with water, prone to washouts and may be impassible due to current water conditions.
MNRF is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
This message is being sent based on information received from MNRF - Surface Water Monitoring Centre, MNRF - Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Management Services and Environment Canada. Multiple weather systems have passed through the area over the last few weeks and brought along with it significant rainfall. Cumulative rainfall over the last week has been 60-100mm and the forecast indicates that more rain is expected over the next week.
Description of Current Conditions
Current water levels and flows are higher than normal for this time of year, due to higher than normal precipitation amounts.
Recent, widespread and heavy rainfall received across the region resulted in higher than normal flows.
Expiry Date:
This message will expire on Friday, August 31 2018, 12:00 AM
Terminology: Notification Levels
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.
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Parry Sound District MNRF Water Management Department
By calling 705-646-5531 or by email at watermanagement.psdistrict@ontario.ca
A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended. Environment Canada bulletins can be found at http://weather.gc.ca/
The Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage can be found here: http://www.ontario.ca/flooding