KAWARTHA LAKES-The Spring of 2026 has been cooler than in some previous years, and the ice is still holding on in many lakes tributary to the Trent River. For a few days now, temperatures have been in the double digits, with plenty of rain, rapidly melting snow and ice. Water levels have risen abruptly on both the Burnt and Gull Rivers. Communities throughout the region are witnessing a deluge, as incredible volumes of water rush down the waterways. These rivers have witnessed many floods over the years—1928, 1976, 1991 and 2019 were particularly bad.
There is flooding in communities throughout the region. Minden declared a state of emergency on April 14 at 2pm, using the the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena and Community Centre to evacuate residents from flooded areas. In communities along the waterways, residents are sandbagging their properties, hoping to save homes from flooding. A section of the Bobcaygeon Road washed out near Minden on April 13.
In Kinmount crews were working on the dam with pike poles, hooks and pole saws trying to clear debris that was floating down the river and accumulating in front of the dam. Many local residents were worried that it might give way. During the Great Flood of 1928, significant debris had accumulated on the dam, causing the village to flood, and prompting the dam to give away—launching a destructive deulge downstream.
Around Burnt River, many homes and cottages are flooded—particularly downstream from the village. Wrex Road has literally become a boat launch. On the afternoon of April 16, City of Kawartha Lakes fire fighters were launching boats on Brook Road to rescue some residents in that vicinity. An elderly couple was rescued from the flood waters surrounding their home in the area of Basswood Drive and Autumn Lane. Burnt River’s Centennial Park is under water, but the East Line Road and 6th Concession remained above water.
Great quantities of water is rushing through Moore’s Falls, over Elliott’s Falls, through Norland, Coboconk, and Fenelon Falls. On the Gull River, as on the Burnt River, there is plenty of debris floating downstream, including a dock that was caught on the Norland Dam.
Many properties in this vicinity were flooded as well. The safety booms above many of the rapids and falls were under water and the boom at Fenelon Falls has broken.
It seems that 2026 will go down in history as another memorable flood on the Burnt and Gull Rivers.
This story is part of our partnership with Maryboro Lodge, The Fenelon Falls Museum and was written by Glenn Walker.
If you want to make a donation to the museum, you can e-transfer to: curator@maryboro.ca or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
