Federal government restricts navigation in flood-ravaged Muskoka
Losses due to flooding continue to mount
Heartbreaking the word being used most as those directly affected by and others looking in on the devastating floods in Muskoka.
Chris Coon posted images of a guest house at his parent’s property in Bracebridge…
Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith was able to find a ray of light…of hope…noting the North Branch of the river was “doing better, levels slowly receding. South Branch flows crested. Lake levels crested.”
Still…
Water flow trivia: the amount of water coming over #Bracbridge Falls yesterday would fill an Olympic sized swimming pool every 10 seconds. During it’s peak on the weekend, every 8 seconds. #MuskokaFlood pic.twitter.com/TF00ahSB3H
— Mayor Graydon Smith (@GraydonTheMayor) April 30, 2019
And in Gravenhurst, where the full brunt of the flooding has yet to be felt…
@Gateway2Muskoka Parks staff helped out with flooding control efforts today by filling over 500 sandbags for use by #Gravenhurst residents. With more rain expected tomorrow, please check out the town’s website for a list of all sandbagging locations. pic.twitter.com/8BgVceC68P
— GravenhurstFIRE (@GravenhurstFIRE) April 30, 2019
Meantime, Federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau has issued an order expanding areas in which navigation is prohibited in areas of flooding in order to protect the safety of people and vessels and to help first responders do their jobs in flooding conditions.
This is to ensure vessel movements do not pose a risk to the safety of individuals or cause damage to the environment, properties and infrastructure.
Navigation by non-emergency vessels is strictly prohibited on the following waterways:
- Lake Muskoka
- North Branch Muskoka River
- South Branch Muskoka River
- Moon River
Individuals who can only access their property by boat are exempted from the Interim Order and other restrictions for the purpose of going to and from their property. If citizens must use a waterway to access a property, they are urged to navigate at as slow a speed as possible.
banner image via Chris Coon/facebook