KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District, including the Burnt River Watershed and Gull River Watershed, is advising area residents that a Water Safety bulletin is in effect until 4:00 pm Thursday, April 6, 2023.
This bulletin will affect residents within the MNRF Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District in the County of Haliburton.
Officials say runoff to local lakes and rivers is anticipated to increase. Water levels and river flows are expected to rise with increased runoff.
Up to 33 mm of rain and 8 cm of snow is forecasted over the next seven days across the Minden-Haliburton area. Daytime highs over the next week are forecasted to range between +1°C and +13°C while nighttime lows range between +2°C and -13°C in the area. Water levels in managed lakes are within their seasonal operating ranges for this time of year. The local snowpack is becoming saturated and varies from normal to above normal for this time of year.
The forecasted warm weather and rainfall will cause the snowpack to melt faster. Increased runoff will cause lake levels and river flows to start to rise over the next couple weeks according to the Ministry. Flooding is not anticipated at this time.
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 are reminded to keep a close watch on conditions and regularly check for updated messages.
