By Chad Ingram

At press time water levels throughout the Gull and Burnt River watersheds appeared to present no threat of serious flooding.

County politicians had their first spring freshet conference call of theseason with representatives of the Trent Severn Waterway on Mondaythose calls occurring regularly throughout the spring thaw.
“According to TSW staff the spring water activity is earlier than usual butdespite the recent rain and the remaining snowpack things are in goodshape” said Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt. “The lack of rainmeans a gradual inflow into the system and snowpack monitoring willcontinue to inform the inflows. Certain pinch points like Twelve Mileand Horseshoe [lakes] are active at the moment as adjustments are madefor capacity but there are no concerns at the moment.”

There arenearly 30 feeder and flow-through lakes throughout Haliburton Countythat are part of the feeder system for the Trent Severn Canal waterlevels adjusted through a series of dams. The water from those lakesdrains through the channel of the Gull River through downtown Mindenbefore making its way down the system. The lakes in the county were atabout 55 per cent of capacity as of Monday Moffatt said.

The MNRF’s Bancroft District which includes Haliburton County is under what theministry calls a water safety statement. This “indicates that highflows melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.”

Apress release from the Township of Minden Hills regarding the springthaw reminds residents to be vigilant and monitor their propertiesthroughout the coming weeks. Tips residents in flood-prone areas cankeep in mind to protect their properties include installing and checking sump pumps; moving any important materials or documents out ofbasements; installing backflow valves or standpipes to prevent sewerlines from backing up; elevating appliances such as washers dryers andwater heaters on concrete blocks or anchoring them and protecting themwith a flood shield; and having a flood detection device installed intheir basement.

“The public is reminded to use caution around arealakes rivers creeks and other water sources such as ditches as highwater levels and swift currents can create unstable conditions” therelease reads. “Avoid driving on any roadways that are underwater asroad conditions may be unstable and dangerous.”