Flooding in Muskoka, Haliburton, and CKL Ontario

John Y Cannuck

John Y Cannuck

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It's apparently exceeding all records. I got cut off from my spring moose camp check this weekend. Water is at insane levels, roads washed out etc. If you hunt these areas, it might pay to get up there after the water goes down and check the damage.


States of emergency in Huntsville, Bracebridge, and City of Kawartha Lakes. Many people evacuated from their homes.

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https://www.facebook.com/HaliburtonEcho?fref=ts
Roads experiencing flooding throughout county


Friday, April 19, 2013 11:55:06 EDT AM






The Haliburton County roads department is warning residents of flood washouts throughout the area.
A release from the county’s road department states that as of 11 a.m. on April 19, there were four county roads experiencing difficulties.
They include Harburn Road, South Baptiste Lake Road, Elephant Lake Road and Ingoldsby on County Road 21 is down to one lane.
Roads crews have put out barrels, cones and are asking the public’s assistance to slowdown and to be very cautious driving these roads, according to the release.
The roads crews from Haliburton County are patrolling the roads, as well as repairing what they can at this time, said road superintendent Doug Ray.
The following list of closures and washouts was provided by the Haliburton County Emergency Medical Services and is subject to change throughout the day.

County Roads

Harburn Rd has a closure – approximately 1959 – waiting for confirmation
Kashagawigamog Rd in Ingoldsby on the 21 side, it is down to one lane
Rd 5 – South Baptise Lake Rd has water over the road – use caution
Rd 10 Elephant Lake Rd also has water over the road – use caution
Eagle Lake Rd (Cty Rd 14) – Dysart – water on the road, but passable
Kushog Lake Rd (Cty Rd 11) – AH – passable but use caution
Livingstone Lake Rd (Cty Rd 12) – AH – Livingstone Lake Road is closed NORTH of Laurel Road, near
Dividing Lake

Algonquin Highlands
Dawson Road – CLOSED – numerous washouts have made the road impassable. Residents on the road
have been notified that will be unable to get in or out until the road is repaired
McPhail Road – Passable by one lane only – Maple Lake Landfill will be CLOSED today. Residents are
being asked not to travel the road unless absolutely necessary.
Tulip Rd – passable but in poor condition
25th Line – passable but in poor condition
NEW - Harris Road – Passable by one lane only.

Minden Hills
Boyd Road – water over the road but still passable
Brady’s Lake Road – water over the road but still passable
Voicey Road – currently under repair, 1 lane passable
Salerno Road – currently under repair, passable
Milburn Road – Open with a warning only
Blairhampton Road - at or around address 2023 - 6 to 10 inches of water on the road

Dysart et al
Wilkinson Rd - washout at 2458
Carroll Rd washout at 1505
Sullivan Dr washout at bus turnaround
Dignan washout at 1276
Haliburton Lake Rd can go as far as MacDonald Rd but no further-washout (Percy Lake not accessible)
Watts Rd washout at 1469
Goulds Crossing- washout before 1058
True north Rd – washout just after 1092
Camp towhee Rd washout just before 1265

Highlands East
Telephone Bay Rd – washout – address unknown
Harold Rd – washout – address unknown
Townline Rd – washout – address unknown
Irondale - OK at this time
Conteau Lake Rd at Irondale Rd – washout
Billings Lake Rd – washout by the dam
 
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Please be advised that there are several roads in Dysart et al that are experiencing major washouts and floods right now. If you are planning to come to the cottage tonight, please check ahead of time to make sure your road is passable and safe as you won’t be able to navigate as well after dark. We are asking the public’s assistance to slow down and be very cautious driving. Our roads crews as well as private road construction companies are all out in full force and we anticipate a busy weekend for them, so please be patient and know that the roads will be fixed as soon as possible.
The most recent report is that the following roads in Dysart et al have issues:
Wilkinson Rd – washout at 2458;
Carroll Rd washout at 1505;
Sullivan Dr washout at bus turnaround;
Dignan washout at 1276;
Haliburton Lake Rd can go as far as MacDonald Rd but no further
washout (Percy Lake not accessible)
Watts Rd washout at 1469 Goulds Crossing
Washout before 1058 True North Rd
Washout just after 1092 Camp towhee Rd
Washout just before 1265 Wickstead Rd at Moose Lake
 
WATERSHED
CONDITIONS
STATEMENT
FLOOD
WARNING
Date: Saturday April 20, 2013
To: Township of Minden Hills, City of Kawartha Lakes, Dysart-et-al, Highlands
East, Algonquin Highlands, Media, SWMC
From: Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Minden Area, Bancroft District
The MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
(MNR) Bancroft District is advising area residents
that flooding is imminent or occurring in local riv
ers and lakes.
Warm weather and forecasted rain combined with the
rapid melting of the remaining snow pack
have produced increased runoff to lakes and rivers,
particularly in the Gull River, Burnt River
and Irondale River Watersheds. Municipalities are
responding to flooding emergencies as they
occur, including evacuations in some areas. The Burnt River and Irondale River continue to rise
at an average rate of 1.7cm/hr and are not expected to crest within the next 24-36 hours. At the
current rate of rise there is potential for the Burnt River at the Village of Burnt River to reach and
exceed 1991 Flood Levels. The Trent Severn Waterway is making efforts to reduce flows along
the Burnt and Irondale Rivers. The weather forecast is calling for up to 40mm of rain over
Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The Township of Minden Hills has declared a state of
emergency. Water levels have remained constant but as the upstream lakes fill there is
potential for water levels on the Gull River to rise.
MNR’s Bancroft District advises area residents to monitor the local situation closely and to
contact the municipality if a flood threat exists. MNR reminds residents and their children to
exercise caution and stay away from rivers and streams.
The MNR will continue to closely monitor weather and watershed conditions. This Flood
Warning will remain in effect until an update is issued on or before Monday April 22, as
conditions warrant.
For more information about weather and flooding risks, and advice on what to do in the event of
a flood, go to:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Water/index.html
Terminology: Notification Levels
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT
– FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for
flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or
other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not
expected.
FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
 
I drove from Kinmount to Gooderham yesterday; the Irondale River is pretty scary, well over its banks. A friend pointed out that the Gooderham liquor store isn't flooded - but you have to wade to get to it. Minden has a lot of flooding. The water is apparently going over the Gull River dam above Minden, so there isn't much that can be done to reduce the level of the Gull in Minden. The Burnt River at Kinmount is very high. No rain forcast until Wednesday; that is a good thing, a couple of days to let levels drop.
 
Water is going over the Bracebridge damn, and is projected to be over the Huntsville damns before it recedes. I have a genuine fear for Bracebridge over the nxt 36 hours or so, theres still a lot of fricking water upstream of that town. I live close to Mary Lake and its up waaaaaaaay higher then it should be. Thats a a very sizeable lake.
 
Heard on the radio that the water above Minden is still rising. Some rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow.
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/04/21/ottawa-south-algonquin-township-flooding.html

Eastern Ontario roads closed due to flood, dam concerns


Flooding concerns centred around dam, bridges, near Bancroft, Ont.

CBC News

Posted: Apr 21, 2013 5:05 PM ET

Last Updated: Apr 22, 2013 10:37 AM ET


Video Content

Flooding, dam concerns2:27



Related Stories

Ontario cottage country floods hit peak, damage assessedFlooded Renfrew County road re-opens
External Links

South Algonquin noticesBancroft safety notices (Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)



The mayor of South Algonquin Township, about 65 kilometres northwest of Bancroft, said they're concerned about a nearby dam and three key bridges because of rising waters.
Due to large amounts of rain and melting snow, Ontario Provincial Police have closed many side roads near Highway 62 and Highway 28. Police said many side roads are "washed out" and they are not driveable.
mi-ott-bancroft-flooding-30.jpg
This photo shows major flooding in the Bancroft area. (Photo courtesy of Gabby Hoard)Hastings Street North is also closed to vehicle traffic from Flint Street to John Street.
Township mayor, Jane Dumas, said the amount of water running through the Galeairy Lake Dam is 40 per cent higher than the previous record.
"It's the weather and the (snow) melt, if it proceeds at a reasonable rate then we can accomodate it," she said.
However, she did mention a forecast that shows an additional 40 millimetres of rain could be coming as cause for concern.
Water is also up "around the boards" of the Algonquin Street Bridge in the community of Whitney and has topped over another, closing both.
Bancroft having 'more immediate' problems

Bancroft is also under a local state of emergency, with officials closely watching levels of the York River.
Residents and businesses near that river are being asked to secure anything that may float away and to also respect barricades put up by the town.
"Bancroft is certainly having more immediate problems," Dumas said. "Our (main concern) is the Galeairy dam.
Parts of central Ontario have also seen flooding, with an estimated 1,000 residents affected in the town of Huntsville, about an hour and 20 minute drive west of Whitney.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board is also warning of the possibility of flooding in the days ahead because of snowfall and the spring melt.
That advisory stretches from an area near Pembroke to the Montreal region.
 
[h=4]MNR Districts:[/h]
  • Bancroft - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 23, 2013
  • Cochrane - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 22, 2013
  • North Bay - Flood Watch - April 23, 2013
  • Parry Sound - Flood Warning - April 22, 2013
  • Pembroke - Flood Warning - April 19, 2013
  • Sault Ste Marie - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 18, 2013
  • Sudbury - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 18, 2013

[h=4]Conservation Authorities:[/h]
  • Crowe Valley - Flood Watch - April 22, 2013
  • Ganaraska Region - Flood Watch - April 23, 2013 9:00 am
  • Kawartha - Flood Watch - April 22, 2013 3:00 pm
  • Lower Trent - Flood Watch - April 22, 2013 3:30 pm
  • Mattagami Region - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 23, 2013
  • Mississippi Valley - Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety - April 15, 2013
  • Nickel District - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 22, 2013 4:00 pm
  • North Bay Mattawa - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - April 22, 2013 2:00 pm
  • Nottawasaga Valley - Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety - April 19, 2013 11:00 am
  • Otonabee - Flood Warning - April 23, 2013 1:30 pm

​
 
With about 52% of Algonquin Parks water shed going through Huntsville its little wonder.

From the Distress Dam, down the Big East R, through Vernon Lk, Fairy Lk, Mary Lk into (North branch) Muskoka R, into Lk Muskoka, out into Georgian Bay.

Just to the North of Huntsville and Westwards is one of the Province of ON's largest swamps.
The whole of the area is dotted with; Freshetts, beaver meadows, bogs, ponds, slow moving creeks, small lakes and the land is choked with spruce trees,tag Alders,cedars and tamaracs(Larches), and poplar trees. With sparse islands of high ground supporting oak and maples
While this makes for great moose,black bear, deer, and fur bearing mammal habitat it does not make great year round housing for people.
Over the years rain fall has dwindled somewhat and people have forgotten what a flood plane is. These areas are often very scenic and affordable, but a flash melting of winter snow, high rain fall or a combination of both can send you packing.
Take Les Stroud (Survivorman) for instance. He bought an old huntcamp in Novar and turned it into his "off the grid" home.
Im willing to bet he can't even to his house without a boat, provided his home doesn't have 1" of water on the floors.

An old friend of mine says that this is not as bad as he can remember. Nor I for that matter. I remember brendale square in Huntsville flooding EVERY spring. One year the Huntsville Forester had pictures on the front page of a man canoeing to the beer store.
My friends says he can remember paddleing a canoe from Blackburns landing (Now The Cottage Bar&Grill) all the way to the Haynes St. hill. He also said that the railway bridge over the east river just North of Huntsville was submerged once. That's a 6 foot water rise if not more!
As population increases more homes will be built in low lying land, and more roads to these places will be built aswell.
 
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