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Welcome Spring! With warm temperatures, rain, and melting snow it is important to be prepared for flooding. Given that we live in the Muskoka River Watershed, with hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams, the potential of flooding is a reality during the spring thaw, also known as the freshet.
Are you wondering if your property is vulnerable to flooding? To start, look up your address in our updated Floodline GIS Map on Muskoka GeoHub. There are many new features that have been added to the map, including live lake levels, viewing in 2D and 3D and being able to filter data by structure, municipality or lake. To learn how to view if your home or property is in a floodplain, you can view our new Tutorial video.
As the snow melts around your home check for any leaks. Finding leaks early means reduced water damage and mold growth. Ensure your eavestroughs are clear and snow is not piled up next to your home so melt water and rain can drain away safely.
The Muskoka Watershed Council’s Report card from 2023 shows how we can try to predict flooding using this diagram based on snow and rain conditions.
As of April 3rd, 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has put Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound district under a flood warning for the Muskoka and Severn River watersheds. Runoff to local lakes and rivers has increased significantly with recent rainfall, snow melt and warm weather. Residents should expect water levels to rise and river flows to increase through into the week of April 7-11.The snow water equivalent has been slightly above the historical average for this time of year across the District.1 Given the snow water content for the whole region is just slightly above normal we hopefully will have a slow melt through March and April and no major rainstorms to avoid a major flood this spring.
To view the most current locally issued flood messages issued by MNR, visit their Flood Forecasting and Warning Program webpage.
As we head into flooding season it is important to be prepared, here are some tips to keep in mind this spring.
1. Be Aware:
Take time to learn about floods. Flooding has become the most frequent and costly natural disaster in Canada. Stay informed in an emergency by downloading the Voyent Alert! App. Residents and visitors can select to receive notifications from a wide variety of communication channels including mobile apps, text/SMS alerting, email or voice calling.
2. Know your Risks:
No one knows your property better than you. Have you experienced flooding in the past? Have you checked the Muskoka GeoHub to see if your property is in the floodplain? Does your insurance policy include flood coverage? Do you know how to make a flood claim to your insurance company?
3. Minimize your Risk:
After assessing your flood risk, minimize the risk by taking proactive measures. Check out some tips in the District’s Guide to Flood Prevention and Recovery.
4. Make a Plan:
Emergencies rarely happen when everyone is home. An emergency plan will prepare your family for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate. Make sure to practice and update the plan as necessary. Review the Government of Canada's Emergency Preparedness Guide.
5. Prepare an Emergency Kit
Can you keep yourself and your family safe for 72 hours after an emergency? Have an emergency kit ready with items so that you and your family will remain safe and taken care of for at least 3 days after an emergency. Visit www.muskoka.on.ca/be-prepared for a list of items suggested to include in your kit.
Sources:
Muskoka Watershed Council 2023 Report Card: Climate Change - www.muskokawatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023RC-BackgroundReport-13-Climate.pdf
MNR Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound District: www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/webapps/swmc/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program/files/minden-parry-sound-bracebridge.pdf
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