The Towns of Bracebridge and Gravenhurst are keeping a close eye on rising water levels as flood conditions shift across the region.
Andrew Stacey, director of infrastructure services for the Town of Gravenhurst, said they are seeing water levels in the Severn River and the Black River starting to recede slightly, but added the community isn’t in the clear quite yet.
“We’re starting to see a bit of a decline in some of our watersheds, and in other watersheds we’re seeing a bit an increase, so it’s a bit a balancing act right now,” he said.
He said on Lake Muskoka, water levels are still rising, though at a slower rate, and added that one municipal building has been fortified to prevent damage.
According to Stacey, municipal staff are continuing to support the community where possible and keep sandbag supplies stocked throughout the town.
In Bracebridge, Mayor Rick Maloney said the town is putting much of its focus on what it can do to continue to support folks in the highest-risk areas.
“The challenge right now for our community is down at the mouth of the river. Lake Muskoka is at or getting close to capacity,” he said. “I would say in the rural part of Bracebridge in around Sherwood Forest Road and Bracebridge Road, we’re seeing elevated levels there on the road.”
He said there is a backwater effect in some areas along the mouth of the Muskoka River and that areas such as Beaumont Farm Road, Golden Beach Road, and the George Road area are seeing water levels gradually increase.
According to Maloney, sandbag operations are continuing. On April 20, Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary Schools helped bag 15 skids of sandbags. Lakeland Power, Bell and Ontario Hydro crews have also been sandbagging at Beaumont Farm locations and at George Road.
Maloney said the fire department continues to work at full capacity, offering support to residents in high-risk areas, and that so far, reports indicate residents are doing okay.
