Winter Operations

Snow plow in winter

The Township of Muskoka Lakes maintains roads in the winter months in accordance with Provincial Standards.

These standards outline the requirements for patrolling, snowplowing, and treating icy conditions based on each road’s classification. The road class determines how quickly plowing begins and how often the road is serviced during a storm.

Snow Removal

Roads & Parking

Township snowplows require adequate space to operate safely and efficiently. Parking regulations are enforced in accordance with Parking By-law 2022-043

When official or authorized signage is posted, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain parked on a roadway in a way that interferes with:

The removal of snow or ice
Road clearing or sanding
Road cleaning operations, including sweeping

Overnight Parking:

Parking is prohibited on Township roads between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 15 to April 1, inclusive.
Parking restrictions may be extended during prolonged snow events or during snow removal and street sweeping operations.
For full details, please refer to the Parking By-law 2022-043

Snow Clearing Timelines:

Residents are asked to avoid calling during the first day of a snow event, as crews are actively clearing roads.
Following the end of a snowfall, it typically takes 6 to 8 hours to clear priority roads and approximately 24 hours to complete the entire system.
Extended or continuous snowfall may increase the time required to clear all areas, including local streets and cul-de-sacs.

These rules apply to all Township roads.

Sidewalks

Sidewalk snow removal is completed using mechanical equipment.

Sidewalks are maintained to a snow-packed condition and are not cleared down to bare pavement.

Garbage Bins and Mailboxes

During snow events, visibility can be limited for equipment operators. While every effort is made to avoid damage, accidental contact with garbage bins or mailboxes may occur.

To assist:

Keep the area around bins and mailboxes clear of snow.
Place bins as far back from the roadway as possible.
Ensure bins are visible and not obstructing snow removal routes.

Please note that the Township is not responsible for damage to bins or mailboxes that block safe snow removal or are not visible to operators.

Winter Road Maintenance: Township, District, or Province?

In the Township of Muskoka Lakes, winter road maintenance is shared between the two levels of government (Township of Muskoka Lakes [lower-tier] and District of Muskoka [upper-tier]). The Township is responsible for maintaining local Township roads, while the District of Muskoka oversees maintenance of District roads that tend to be the major arterial roads carrying higher volumes of traffic. Each follows slightly different winter maintenance approaches based on usage and service standards.

Township roads are maintained:

To a snow-packed condition
Treated mainly with sand to improve traction (only a small amount of salt is used, mainly to help with icy conditions or during freezing rain, and to prevent the sand from freezing in storage. This approach helps reduce environmental impacts while still keeping roads safe.)

District roads are maintained:

To a bare pavement condition, which requires more frequent use of salt.

The Township maintains two District roads (District Roads 7 and 26) on the District’s behalf and treats them to that standard.

District Roads in Muskoka Lakes

The following roads are under the jurisdiction of the District of Muskoka:

Muskoka Road 3 – Aspdin Road
Muskoka Road 4 – Raymond Road, Windermere Road
Muskoka Road 7 – Peninsula Road (maintained by the Township)
Muskoka Road 13 – Southwood Road
Muskoka Road 24 – Dee Bank Road
Muskoka Road 25 – Brackenrig Road
Muskoka Road 26 – Foreman Road, Mortimer's Point Road (maintained by the Township)
Muskoka Road 27 – Ferndale Road
Muskoka Road 28 – Juddhaven Road
Muskoka Road 29 – Acton Island Road
Muskoka Road 30 – Barlochan Road, Walker's Point Road
Muskoka Road 35 – Raymond Road
Muskoka Road 38 – Muskoka Road #38
Muskoka Road 47 – Falkenburg Road, Hewlitt Road
Muskoka Road 118 – Joseph Street, Medora Street, Muskoka Road 118, Highway 118 West
Muskoka Road 169 – Muskoka Road #169

For more information view the District Road Map or contact the District of Muskoka Engineering and Public Works Department at 705-645-6764. All District Road Capital projects can be found the District of Muskoka website.

Ministry of Transportation Roads in Muskoka Lakes

The following roads are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation:

Highway 141
Lake Joseph Rd

For any questions or to report an issue to a road maintained by the Ministry of Transportation, you can contact them directly at 1-800-255-7814

Road Index Map | Township of Muskoka Lakes

Winter Safety Tips

Winter weather brings snow, ice, and cold temperatures that can create safety challenges for drivers and pedestrians.

For safety reasons, residents are not permitted to enter Township maintenance yards to collect winter sand. Residents who require sand for personal use can purchase it from local quarries or home improvement supply stores.

Discover More on Winter Safety

It is illegal to push snow from your private property onto public streets or sidewalks. Pursuant to Part X (181) of the Highway Traffic Act “No person shall deposit snow or ice on the roadway without permission in writing from the Ministry or road authority…”
Shovel snow onto your property, away from the road and sidewalk.
When piling snow on your property, take care not to block sightlines from driveways.
If you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, you can assist the District of Muskoka by clearing the snow from around the fire hydrant.
Please do not push large volumes of snow into ditches. It can turn into ice and block nearby culverts.
Clear storm drains of leaves and snow to prevent flooding.
Please do not park on public roads where it could obstruct snow removal or other winter maintenance efforts.
Please do not park vehicles on driveways in a way where they block any part of the sidewalk. Please ensure a clear passage for the sidewalk plow.
Consider assisting your elderly or disabled neighbour(s) by clearing snow for them.
You, as the property owner, are responsible for clearing windrows from the end of your driveway.
Teach children not to play in snow banks at edge of road, snow piles in cul-de-sacs or any other area where snow removal takes place.
Keep your 911 sign clear of snow buildup.

Pedestrians should wear reflective clothing at night or during poor visibility to ensure they are highly visible to all traffic.
Wearing earphones or winter headgear (i.e. hoodies, hats) can inhibit your hearing or peripheral vision. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings.
it is unsafe and illegal to "jay-walk". Please cross at crosswalks or designated traffic signals.
Be alert while walking. Refrain from using a cell phone while walking on streets and sidewalks. Make eye contact with approaching drivers before crossing the road.
Always wear proper footwear for icy conditions. Rubber soles and low heels will help to ensure safety when walking on winter roads and sidewalks.

Consider getting winter tires if you don’t already have them. Winter tires provide better traction, handling and braking and can shorten your braking distance by 25%. All-season tires are not as effective and can lose their grip when the temperature is below 7°C. Drivers with winter tires may be eligible for a discount on car insurance through the winter months.
Drive according to road conditions. Allow more distance between cars, slow down, and give yourself more travel time. Give yourself extra time and space to stop in bad weather. Do not rely on the estimated time of arrival according to your GPS. Speed limits are set for ideal conditions.
Clear snow and ice from your vehicle. Make sure you clean all windows, mirrors, lights and the roof. Wait for any foggy windows to clear up to improve visibility. Good visibility keeps yourself and others safe.
Check road and weather conditions frequently. Choose the route you'll take ahead of time and check the weather forecast to make sure you know what to expect before you hit the road.
Create a 'survival’ kit. Your survival kit should include: gloves, booster cables, a small shovel, windshield wiper fluid, a first aid kit, a torch, a snow brush, candles, a safety vest, water bottles and non-perishable energy foods. Keep the kit in the trunk of your car.
Watch for pedestrians. Look twice for pedestrians crossing the road.
Stay back from snow clearing equipment by approximately 45 metres (147 feet). If you find yourself behind a snow plow, maintain a safe distance. Snow plow drivers do not always have the best visibility and can create clouds of snow that can reduce your visibility.
Pay attention to the road. Do not allow yourself to be distracted when driving.
Prevent hydroplaning. Scan ahead for large puddles and slow down.

Significant Weather Event

A Significant Weather Event is defined as an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to users of roads and sidewalks within a municipality. Examples of severe weather that could trigger a Significant Weather Event include:

Significant snow accumulation during a 24-hour period.
Ice formation that wasn’t predicted.
High winds leading to blowing snow and large snow drifts.
Extreme cold temperatures when de-icing won’t be as effective.

When weather conditions are forecasted or are occurring that are expected to impact our standard timelines for winter maintenance of our roads and sidewalks, the Township may need to declare a Significant Weather Event.

When does the Township declare a Significant Weather Event?

The Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways allows municipalities to declare a Significant Weather Event when the weather conditions have the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roads and sidewalks which they have authority over.

The Township has standard amounts of time (standard timelines) for clearing its roadways and sidewalks. Staff monitors current conditions and weather forecasts to see if weather conditions might affect our standard timelines. If our timelines are being impacted or are likely to be impacted based on weather forecasts, we can declare a Significant Weather Event.

What to expect when the Township declares a Significant Weather Event?

During a Significant Weather Event:

Township service levels do not change, but winter maintenance activities may take longer to complete. Crews will continue to work on maintaining the roadways and sidewalks until the Significant Weather Event has ended.
Declaration of a Significant Weather Event does NOT indicate a closure of any road or an imminent closure of any road. Individual roads that are closed are determined by OPP and notices will be circulated via the OPP. However, residents are urged to remain at home and avoid driving unless travel is necessary when a Significant Weather Event is declared.
It may take longer than usual to get roads cleared and back to normal. The declaration is to notify the public that due to the current or forecasted conditions, caution is to be observed when travelling on Township roads and that it may take longer than usual to bring the condition of the roads back to a state of repair.

A Significant Weather Event means there are ongoing, hazardous road conditions on Township roads and sidewalks. When the Township declares a Significant Weather Event, we recommend staying off the roads and staying home, if possible. If you must go out, please drive with caution. Stay a safe distance away from winter maintenance vehicles to give them space to work.

How do I know if the Township has declared a Significant Weather Event?

The Township always communicates the declaration of a Significant Weather Event on the Township website and on the Township’s social media channels. The Township will declare the end of a Significant Weather Event when it’s appropriate to do so. Once the end of the SWE has been declared, the usual timelines for winter maintenance on Township roads and sidewalks will then resume.

The District Municipality of Muskoka may declare a Significant Weather Event at the same time. Check the District’s website to see which roads are affected.

How can you be prepared for a Significant Weather Event?

Being prepared in the event of a Significant Weather Event is imperative. For more information about emergency preparedness in Muskoka Lakes, please visit the Fire Department's Emergency Preparedness page.

Report a Concern

To report an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Submit a question or concern through our online form. These submissions are reviewed during regular office hours. If your concern requires immediate attention, please call the municipal office at 705-765-3156. After operating hours, you will speak with our after-hours messaging service who will contact a staff member if necessary.

Report a Concern | Public Works