Flood Warning in Effect for Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District (until April 22, 2026)

Find the updated advisory here: Flood Warning Remains in Effect for Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District (until April 29, 2026)

Information provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

MUSKOKA LAKES, ON, April 13, 2026 (Updated April 17, 2026) – The Ministry of Natural Resources (“MNR”), Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District, is advising residents of a Flood Warning that is in effect until Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

This statement applies to portions of the District of Parry Sound, District of Muskoka, and County of Haliburton, including the Black, Boyne, Burnt, Gull, Pickerel, Seguin, Severn, Magnetawan, and Muskoka River Watersheds.

Locations of particular concern due to the potential for heightened impacts include:

• Gull River in the Town of Minden
• Moon River including the Bala Reach
• Lake Muskoka

MNR advises residents to take immediate action to safeguard homes and property. Flooding could occur quickly and with little or no warning.

Residents and visitors are advised to use extreme caution around waterbodies and forest access roads as water levels and river flows may increase due to recent rainfall and melting snow.

Summary (Updated): 

• With precipitation and continued warm temperatures in the forecast, some areas may experience elevated water levels and flows. In some locations, this could approach levels observed in 2019 and may result in localized road washouts, infrastructure damage, and flooding.
• Residents and visitors should expect lake water levels to continue to rise and river flows to remain high throughout this week and into late next week. 
• The 2026 freshet is underway. It is anticipated that the peak freshet water levels and river flows in many areas will not occur for at least a few weeks. Snowpack remains present and represents an ongoing source of runoff. 
• Slippery stream banks and fast flowing, cold water will create hazardous conditions around all water bodies. Increased water levels and precipitation may erode the ice and create floating ice hazards that could damage waterfront infrastructure.
• Lower-lying portions of known flood-prone areas and forest access roads may be impacted to various degrees as runoff from rainfall and melting snow enter watercourses.
• 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.
• Keep a close watch on weather conditions, regularly check for updated messages on our website and social media, exercise caution near fast moving rivers and streams and maintain close supervision of children and pets.
• The 7-day weather forecast is predicting daytime highs of 2°C to 21°C and overnight lows between -5°C and 10°C with up to 20 mm of rainfall.  

Winter Drawdown: 

• Utilizing the flexibility within the Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP), MNR conducted a winter drawdown of water levels on Lake Muskoka to the bottom of the Normal Operating Zone (NOZ) by March 1, 2026. 

Water Management:

• Dam operators across the Muskoka River Watershed work collaboratively to manage the system in a safe and responsible manner consistent with the Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP). 
• The watersheds are complex cascading systems: water inputs received upstream must travel down through the watershed before exiting the system and permitting water levels to return to normal levels. This means that water levels and river flows for locations near the bottom of the watersheds can remain elevated for longer periods of time while the additional water works its way through system.

The MNR is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.

For more information:

• • District Municipality of Muskoka provides near real-time water level observations for the main managed lakes: Floodline and LiDAR Mapping 2.0
  • Muskoka Water Web provides detailed information on how to check water levels on your lake - http://www.muskokawaterweb.ca/mnr-resources/water-management/checking-levels 
  • Environment Canada Real-Time Hydrological stations provide up-to-date information on water levels: https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/search/real_time_e.html and bulletins: www.weather.gc.ca 
  • Flood Forecasting and Warning Program:  https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/webapps/swmc/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program/#ontarioFloodMap and https://www.ontario.ca/page/floods 
  • Township Flood Information Webpage: Flood Information | Township of Muskoka Lakes

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For more information, please contact:
Nick Colucci
Director of Public Works
(705) 765-3156 Ext. 250
ncolucci@muskokalakes.ca

For general or media inquires, please contact:
Mia Palantzas
Communications Advisor
(705) 765-3156 x360
communications@muskokalakes.ca

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