High water levels expected

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority advises that the Trent Severn Waterway Commission is predicting higher than normal water levels for Lake Simcoe for the late winter and early spring.

Due to the extensive midwinter thaw that central and southern Ontario experienced in January, water levels in the lake are higher than those normally expected at this time of year. The current lake level is approximately three metres higher than normal for this time of year.

The coming spring thaw will add additional water to the lake as the snow pack melts.

Higher than normal lake water levels can increase potential for flooding in low-lying areas where ground levels are only slightly higher than normal lake levels.

Flooding caused by ice jams, wave action and high winds may also increase as a result of these elevated lake levels.

The conservation authority will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates through the media if conditions change.