Lake Simcoe Shoreline Status

SHORELINE HAZARD WATCH

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

120 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket, Ont., L3Y 3W3

Telephone: (905) 895-1281 Fax: (905) 853-5881

Issued to the following groups:

1)         Municipalities and Local Conservation Authorities

2)         School Boards, Police and Media

3)         Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation

4)         LSRCA Board of Directors and all LSRCA Employees

Date:   May 3, 2024

Time:   10:00 a.m.

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority advises that the water levels in Lake Simcoe continue to be higher than average for this time of year. These higher than average water levels are posing a risk of flooding along the Lake Simcoe shoreline.  

Lake Simcoe Water Level

The water level in Lake Simcoe remains high at 219.20 metres (measured on May 2, 2024).  Currently, the lake level is approximately 11 centimetres higher than average for this time of year.

Based on current weather forecasts, some rainfall is expected starting this weekend and continuing into next week.  Depending on the precipitation received in the coming days, the water levels may increase. However, this is subject to change based on weather forecasts.   

The current wind forecast indicates southeast winds today in a range of 15 km/hr with the wind gusts up to 33 km/hr. The forecast for the next few days ranges from 21 km/hr winds with gusts of up to 32 km/hr.   

There is the risk of flooding adjacent to the lake in low-lying areas due to impacts of wind and wave action and continued flows in the system.

Water Safety

Please exercise extreme caution around all bodies of water. Please alert any children under your care to stay away from all watercourses and other bodies of water; and supervise their activities.

Residents, especially in the historically flood prone areas, are advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their pets, and their property.

This Shoreline Hazard Watch will be in effect through Friday, May 10, 2024, or until otherwise updated.

For further information, please contact the following person at (905) 895-1281:

Kenneth Cheney, P.Eng.

Duty Officer

Shoreline Hazard Watch: 

broader shoreline flooding due to high lake levels

impacts to local drainage in low lying areas due to high lake levels and inability for effective drainage

localized minor storm surge / seiche and wave damage may occur

moderate risk to dyke failures in the Keswick, Kolbar and Bradford polders impacting agricultural lands