The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority advises the water level of Rice Lake is currently at 186.93 m above sea level, which is 8 cm above normal for this time of year and 50 cm below the peak levels recorded during the flood of 2014. Water levels are currently rising at a rate of 5 cm per day and may reach levels capable of flooding low-lying shoreline areas.
Flood Potential: HIGH
Issued: April 16th, 2026at 11:00 a.m.
High amounts of rainfall and melting of the remaining snowpack in the Haliburton headwater areas is causing flooding on tributaries, such as the Gull and Burnt Rivers that drain into the Kawartha Lakes. As a result, water levels continue to rise on the Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River, which feeds into Rice Lake.
Additional rainfall of 5 mm today, April 16th, and 10 to 15 mm on Saturday, April 18th, with already saturated ground and continuing snowmelt, will result in sustained high flows throughout the system for at least another week, and possibly longer, depending on the long-range forecast.
As water levels rise, wind driven wave action will increase the potential for flooding along low-lying shorelines on Rice Lake. Winds of 25-30 km/h are expected over the weekend with the direction switching from Easterly to North-Westerly as a cold front moves in on Saturday night. Residents are reminded to stay well clear of shorelines during strong onshore winds when wave action may be actively eroding the shoreline creating hazardous conditions.
The forecasted rainfall will cause an increase in local stream levels and flows, however no flooding is anticipated. This Flood Watch applies to the southern shoreline of Rice Lake within the Ganaraska Region will be in effect through Thursday, April 23rd, 2026.
Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as necessary. If you experience a flood emergency and are in danger, please call 911.
Note: A Flood Watch is issued as notice that flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
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Should you have any questions or wish to report flooding, please contact the following GRCA staff (listed below) at 905.885.8173.
Mike Smith
Flood Operations Officer
Cory Harris, P.Eng.
Flood Forecasting & Warning Supervisor