Flooding in the Burnt River and Fenelon Falls area continues, as sandbags are filled for resident pickup at the Burnt River Works Yard. Meanwhile, the PC government under Premier Doug Ford has slashed flood funding by 50 per cent to the conservation authorities that do this work. While the Burnt River area is not under Kawartha Conservation's purview, the Fenelon Falls area is.

The Gull and Black rivers are at very high levels due to snowmelt and heavy precipitation. Water levels are being managed as best as possible but flooding is likely to occur in areas prone to flooding along these rivers.

Conservation Ontario, which oversee the province’s 36 conservation authorities, has already noted in a press release that it’s the smaller and more rural areas that will be most affected.

The conservation authorities forecast flooding and issue warnings, as well as monitor stream flow, and regulate development activities in the flood plains. The authority also helps to educate the public about flooding and protect the natural cover that can mitigate the impacts of flooding.

Under current watershed conditions all local rivers, streams, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous. Riverbanks and shorelines will be slippery and unsafe, and may be undercut.

Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay away from water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.

Sandbags:

It is property owner’s responsibility to secure sand bags to protect their property. Self-serve sand and bags are available at three locations:

All residents should stay a safe distance from all water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Shorelines and banks are saturated and may be slippery and undercut. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.

Road closures due to flooding:

Burnt River road coming in off the north end at 121
Pinery Road closed from Winchester to Burnt River Road
Part of Concession Road 9
Shuttleworth Road
Crooked Court
3rd Road Somerville
9th Concession Burnt River is closed from County Road 121 to #59
Monck Road 45 is closed from Kinmount Road 121 Norland to Hwy 35 due to culvert failure