Muskoka District urges Province to act on flooding and watershed management

District Chair Jeff Lehman says "this is the 3rd 100-year flood in 15 years"

The District of Muskoka agreed to urge the provincial government to act on flooding and watershed management," in the May 19, 2026, Council meeting.

Council is asking the Province to take immediate action following significant flooding during the 2026 spring freshet, citing widespread impacts on residents, infrastructure, businesses and the natural environment.

According to the resolution, the 2026 flooding caused extensive damage to municipal infrastructure, private property and roads while leaving many residents facing financial hardship, displacement and continued uncertainty related to elevated water levels.

Council members expressed concerns about the impact of the flooding to the environment, economy, businesses such as marinas that couldn’t open, safety issues, houses and cottages surrounded by the water, and overall damage to municipal and residential properties.

Councillor, Terry Glover, added that insurance costs are also an issue with companies raising rates and costing residents millions of dollars.

The motion, moved by District Chair, Peter Kelley, and seconded by District Councillor, Rick Maloney, outlines concerns about recurring flooding within the Muskoka River watershed and requests stronger provincial action on flood mitigation and disaster recovery.

District Chair, Jeff Lehman, emphasized that this is “the third 100-year flood in 15 years and we’re likely to have another one and it won’t be long.”

The motion notes that municipalities within the watershed have repeatedly raised concerns about increasing flood frequency, changing climatic conditions and the need for coordinated and transparent flood mitigation planning.

Council pointed to the Province's 2021 investment of more than $4 million toward studies and projects examining conditions within the Muskoka River watershed and identifying opportunities to reduce flooding impacts. While many of those technical studies and the Flood Modifications Review Project have largely been completed, the resolution states that residents and municipalities remain concerned that the findings have not yet resulted in meaningful implementation or tangible flood mitigation measures.

The resolution also references a November 2024 provincial commitment to review and amend the Muskoka River Watershed Management Plan.

Among its requests, District Council is asking the Province to reconfirm and advance that commitment, establish a formal implementation framework with clear timelines and public reporting, and hold public information sessions in affected watershed communities by mid-June 2026.

Council is also urging the Province to activate Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians and Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance programs and expedite access to financial support for affected communities.

The motion further calls for disaster recovery eligibility to be expanded to include seasonal and secondary residential properties, recognizing their contribution to the regional economy and municipal tax base.

Glover expressed the importance of holding the government accountable, “to hold them to everything they promised and more” because of the cost to residents.

He added, “There is more that could be done. We need to underline issues that didn’t get addressed and do everything that can be done.”

Councillor, Rick Maloney, said, “We’re getting to a point now where 100-year floods are commonplace.”

He added, “There’s only so much that folks can take.”

Councillor, Heidi Lorenz, inquired about what municipalities are doing, “to ensure people aren’t rebuilding in areas they shouldn’t…investing in areas they shouldn't be investing in…to protect them because it’s heartbreaking.”

She asked, “What’s our plan? What are we going to do so this doesn’t happen anymore?”

Staff advised that the Official Plan is in the works and will include upcoming discussions covering the issues.

A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to provincial ministers, First Nations, municipalities within the Muskoka River watershed and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.