Ministry of Natural Ministère des ressources naturelles Resources and Forestry et des forêts

Bracebridge Field Office Telephone: (705)645-8747 Parry Sound District Facsimile: (705) 645-8372 1350 High Falls Rd. Bracebridge , P1L 1W9

Muskoka Parry Sound Spring Water Conditions Update April 9th, 2015

Snow

Parry Sound District MNRF carries out snow surveys twice monthly over the duration of the winter. The information collected is used to assess the potential for high water conditions or spring flooding. Snow stations are located near the Village of Rosseau, Arrowhead Provincial Park, Brooks Mills, Norway Point, Ouse Lake in Algonquin Park and near the Village of Sundridge.

Above normal snow water content has been measured across the region again this year. The snow water content in the snow pack as of March 27th was 50% above normal or 150% of the historical average in the area. Three snow stations were measured on April 7th to determine the condition of the snow pack after warmer temperatures and precipitation preceding the Easter Weekend resulted in some runoff to local water bodies. Measurements from April 7th revealed that the snow water content in the remaining snow pack is still well above normal at Magnetawan, and Norway Point stations with readings of 111mm, 188mm and 120mm of water content respectively.

The higher than normal snow water content combined with saturated watershed conditions experienced last fall due to heavy rainfall has prompted MNRF to draw down managed lakes to the lower portion of their Normal Operating Zones (NOZ) over the course of the winter. Water levels in managed lakes continue to remain near the bottom of their established NOZs. River flows in the North Branch as well as the Magnetawan River have increased this week as the process of setting dams for optimal spring discharge upstream of those river gauges continues.

More information about how lakes in the area are managed can be found at http://www.muskokawaterweb.ca/water-101/water-quantity/mrwmp.

Spring flooding is a natural event that occurs periodically and is caused by an extraordinary amount of runoff into a river system due to a rapid melt of the snow pack and/or any significant amount of rainfall. If our analysis of the watershed and weather conditions indicates there is a possibility of high water or flood conditions, MNRF will issue appropriate notifications such as a Flood Watch or Flood Warning.

At this time of year, MNRF urges all residents to take precautionary steps to protect or secure any property in low lying flood prone areas.

This office does not provide access to direct services. To meet with our staff please be sure to call ahead and make an appointment. Visit us at our website: www.gov.on.ca

Current status of water levels

Average Current Approximate Difference Start of High Waterbody Municipality/Area Summer Level Water Level rate of rise (m) Water Zone (MASL) (MASL) (cm/24h) Tea Lake Algonquin Park 417.7 417.51 -0.19 418.2 -3 Kawagama Lake Algonquin Highlands 355.6 354.41 -1.19 356.07 1 Lake of Bays Lake of Bays 315.2 314.44 -0.76 315.5 0 Wood Lake Bracebridge 301.05 300.6 -0.45 301.67 0 Fox Lake Huntsville 294.4 294.23 -0.17 296 -5 Huntsville Lakes Huntsville 283.8 283.16 -0.64 284.3 -2 Mary Lake Huntsville 280.75 280.15 -0.6 281.15 0 Lake Rosseau/Joseph 226.05 225.51 -0.54 226.37 NA Lake Muskoka Bracebridge/Gravenhurst/Muskoka Lakes 225.4 224.66 -0.74 226 1 Go Home Lake Georgian Bay 185.18 184.47 -0.71 184.45 12 Perry Lake Township of Perry 335.15 334.91 -0.24 335.9 0 Doe Lake Armour Township 293.95 293.33 -0.62 295.9 0 Bernard Lake Sundridge/Strong Township 329.4 328.96 -0.44 329.55 0 Cecebe Lake Municipality of Magnetawan 282.7 282.25 -0.45 283.36 -3 Ahmic Lake Municipality of Magnetawan 279.4 279.03 -0.37 280.1 0 Forest Lake South River 349.7 349.11 -0.59 350.4 -3 Dollars Lake Unorganized 205.5 204.84 -0.66 NA 3 Crane Lake Archipelago 198.58 198.23 -0.35 NA 1 Otter Lake Seguin Township 207.17 206.97 -0.2 NA 1 Oastler Lake Seguin Township 204.5 204.2 -0.3 NA 0

Current water flows

Early Flood Approximate Current River Municipality/Area Watch Flow Rise over last Flow (cms) (cms) 24h(cms) Big East Huntsville 8.8 50 -0.1 North Muskoka Huntsville/Bracebridge 31 75 5.7 South Muskoka (HH) Lake of Bays/Bracebridge 15.9 50 0 Oxtongue Lake of Bays 7.3 NA 0 Black Bracebridge 5.8 35 -0.1 North Magnetawan near Burks Falls Armour, Ryerson & Village of Burk's Falls 4.2 NA 0.1 South Magnetawan near Emsdale Perry/Armour, Ryerson & Village of Burk's Falls 5.4 NA 0 Magnetawan near Britt Unorganized 34.3 NA 1.4 at Highway 400 Muskoka Lakes/Georgian Bay / Archipelago 5.1 NA 0.1 Musquash River at Highway 400 Muskoka Lakes/Georgian Bay / Archipelago 80.4 NA 3.5 Shawanaga River Shawanaga FN 1.5 9 0.1 *Combined Moon and Musquash River flows approximately represent discharge from Lake Muskoka at the Bala Dams. Bala Reach “Early Flood Watch Flow” 200 cms.

Weather Forecast and Implications

The weather forecast beginning April 9th is for up to 45mm of rain accompanied by seasonal and above seasonal temperatures in the 8-13 degree Celsius range for daytime highs and above freezing some nights. Forecasted temperatures and rain will increase the rate at which the snow pack melts. Runoff from the melt will enter local water courses more rapidly resulting in higher river flows and rising lake levels.

Risks and Considerations

Ice Jams – have historically been preceded by rapid changes in weather and by colder than average winters. The Ministry of Natural Resources Ice Management Manual can be found on the Surface Water Monitoring Extranet site publications section or can be forwarded by one of the MNRF contacts at the end of this sheet. A One-key account is required to access the SWMC extranet site and can be requested at the following link: https://www.iaa.gov.on.ca/iaalogin/IAALogin.jsp

Debris – accumulation of debris, natural and human made, can accumulate in rivers and streams at points of lower flow velocities or eddies or where natural and manmade obstacles or “choke-points” exist (bridge abutments, river constrictions etc.). MNRF monitors MNRF dams to ensure a significant amount of debris does not accumulate potentially causing upstream impacts. Municipalities are responsible for ensuring their infrastructure is not causing upstream impacts due to accumulation of debris.

Slippery and unstable banks – please keep in mind saturated areas adjacent to still and moving water can be unstable and /or slippery any time but most especially during the spring. Please continue to encourage residents to stay clear of these hazardous areas.

Changing and volatile weather

As forecasts change, MNRF monitoring and operational approaches for water management will be reviewed and may change as well. A weather forecast for significant precipitation and/or above normal temperatures may prompt local watershed/flood messages from the MNRF Parry Sound District.

High Water and Floods

High water and floods can occur any time but spring presents the highest risk. Significant precipitation and rapid melting of the snow pack can result in a flood event. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry uses snow pack, weather, water level and flow information to determine the type and timing of local flood messages.

Any questions regarding watershed conditions such as water levels, flows and snow water content should be directed to:

Amanda Vincent Steve Taylor Matthew Bancroft IRM Technical Specialist IRM Technical Specialist IRM Technical Specialist Parry Sound District Parry Sound District Parry Sound District Bracebridge Field Office Bracebridge Field Office District Office 705-646-5531 705-646-5509 705-7734226

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