KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is advising area residents that a Flood Watch for the Gull River Watershed is in effect until Thursday May 11, 2023. This will affect residents within the MNRF Bracebridge Minden Parry Sound District in the County of Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Officials say water levels and river flows are expected to rise over the next several days with runoff from recent rainfall.
Weather forecasts are currently calling for up to 16 millimetres of rain for this area between Tuesday, May 2 and Monday, May 8, 2023.
Water levels in managed lakes within the Gull River Watershed are at or near full supply level for this time of year. Water levels and river flows are expected to rise as runoff from recent rainfall enters the system. Gull River water flows through the Village of Minden and Shadow Lake is anticipated to remain at or above bank full flows for the next couple of weeks.
The watersheds are cascading systems – each waterbody feeds into the next downstream. Runoff from rain and snowmelt cascades and compounds through the entire system affecting water levels in each waterbody. It will take a number of days for the additional rain to work its way through the entire system. Downstream water bodies may experience a delay in the full impact of the upstream inputs.
Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue to 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.
Be cautious if travelling on local waterways. Boat traffic during high water conditions can cause damage to shorelines and to shoreline property with vessel wakes.
With recent rainfall, the 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.
