PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — The snow may be all but gone in most of the region — with no real flooding damage this year — but with up to 18 mm of rain and 1 cm of snow forecasted the next week lake and water level conditions still make them dangerous to be around.

Across the Parry Sound and Muskoka area, daytime highs over the next week are forecast to range between 4°C and 15°C, while night-time lows will range between +9°C and -3°C in the area.

So the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement — Water Safety is in effect now until 4 p.m. Tuesday April 19.

Flooding is not anticipated at this time.

That means high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.

Today’s announcement is for residents and visitors in Muskoka, Parry Sound and north-west Haliburton.

Water levels in lakes they manage are within their seasonal operating range for this time of year, they say, with the most recent snowpack reading from April 1 showing below average snowpack for this time of year.

Most of the snowpack in the Muskoka and Parry Sound area has now melted, they say.

With recent mild weather and forecasted daytime temperatures in the 5°C to 15°C range over the next week water levels and river flows are expected to remain elevated.

The forecast of warm weather, limited rain and a melting snowpack will still result in runoff that will cause lake levels and river flows to remain elevated. With that rain, warmer temperatures and melting snow, banks and shorelines adjacent to water bodies can be extremely slippery and unstable.

Remaining ice on local waterbodies is not safe. Residents and visitors should exercise caution while around waterbodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets.

NDMNRF is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.

Residents are reminded to keep a close watch on conditions and regularly check for updated messages.

NDMNRF also advises extreme caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as they may become seasonally inundated with water, are prone to washouts and may become impassable due to localized flooding.

For more information go to:

• Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/flooding
• Environment Canada bulletins: www. weather.gc.ca