WATER LEVELS ON THE RISE
Freshet has started. Lake levels reached seasonal lows and started rising during this past week. Flow out of Lake Muskoka exceeds inflow, so the rising water level is due to melting of the near record snowpack. The water level of Lake of Bays also reached seasonal low and started rising during this past week.
MNRF reports that about 25 percent of the snowpack melted over the past week. Melting is expected to accelerate due to the warmer temperatures forecast over the next week. Add in significant rain and the rate of water level increase will get larger than the current 35mm per day [1.5 inch/ day].
Lakeside residents are advised that the imminent Colorado Low weather system which includes melting temperatures and periods of heavy rain will accelerate water inflows this week and is a precursor to flooding in the watershed. Lake water levels are expected to be higher than last year, due to the snowpack, and residents are cautioned to make sure personal effects have been cleared from low lying areas of their property.
Residents are also advised that thick lake ice combined with late melting create the potential for a late start to the boating season and wind-blown ice damage to shoreline structures.
MNRF reports that about 25 percent of the snowpack melted over the past week. Melting is expected to accelerate due to the warmer temperatures forecast over the next week. Add in significant rain and the rate of water level increase will get larger than the current 35mm per day [1.5 inch/ day].
Lakeside residents are advised that the imminent Colorado Low weather system which includes melting temperatures and periods of heavy rain will accelerate water inflows this week and is a precursor to flooding in the watershed. Lake water levels are expected to be higher than last year, due to the snowpack, and residents are cautioned to make sure personal effects have been cleared from low lying areas of their property.
Residents are also advised that thick lake ice combined with late melting create the potential for a late start to the boating season and wind-blown ice damage to shoreline structures.