Road Reports

Dryden drivers can expect delays along Highway 17 (Grand Trunk Avenue) today and are asked to use extra caution around working crews.

The City of Dryden says Highway 17 from Mary Avenue to Park Avenue will be undergoing emergency water main repairs today until 4 p.m. Both lanes of traffic will remain open, but delays can be expected.

Kenora residents face lengthy delays along Lakeview Drive this morning.

The community of Fort Frances is still recovering after being pelted with a severe thunderstorm, rainfall and a tornado warning on Monday night.

While the tornadoes may have instead made their way towards the Dryden area, a number of streets and areas in the Fort Frances community are now experiencing severe flooding and washouts from the rainfall.

The Dryden area’s Flood Warning has been extended until June 10.

The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry says residents in the Wabigoon, Eagle and Forest Lake watersheds should exercise extreme caution around less-travelled roads, bridges water-crossings, lakes, rivers and areas of high runoff or erosion potential.

The ministry says more precipitation will continue to have an impact on water levels, and they’re continuing to monitor watershed conditions.

As of 6:00am Tuesday, May 31:

Hwy 502 - Dryden, South of Century Rd. one lane blocked due to a down tree. Traffic control in place. Please use caution in the area.

Hwy 600 is closed between Fern's Rd and Berg Rd due to a washout. Detour is available from Berg's Rd to Split Rock Rd.

Blue Lake Loop Road – Vermilion Bay, between Hwy 647 Jct and Quibell Rd is closed. Traffic control in place. Use extreme caution in the area.

Crews with the City of Kenora plan to open up a number of roadways in the evacuated area to let residents back in their homes today.

Motorists traveling east can expect some delays this morning after a collision on Highway 17. 

The crash was reported around 8:45am, which had closed the Highway between Upsala and Shabaqua Corners. 

Traffic control is in place and there are no injuries reported at this time. 

The time of reopening is unknown. 

As of 6:00 am Tuesday, May 24:

Blue Lake Loop Road – Vermilion Bay, between Hwy 647 Jct and Quibell Rd is closed. Traffic control in place. Use extreme caution in the area.

Quibell Road is closed, between Hwy 647 and Hwy 609. No transports are allowed, Passenger vehicles only. Signage in place. Use extreme caution.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

Two First Nation communities in the area have declared a State of Emergency with the severe flooding seen throughout the region, as well as a number of communities in the Fort Frances area.

Leadership of Grassy Narrows First Nation and Wabaseemoong Independent Nation both issued State of Emergency notices earlier this week, which lets communities access provincial assistance with their flooding situations.

The region’s extremely high water levels have caused evacuations, flooding, washouts and much more.

The over 300 cm of snow the area received this winter, accompanied by over 88 mm of rain in May alone, have caused the unprecedented water levels across the region. Various areas north of Kenora have been closed and are currently under an Evacuation Order.

A Flood Warning remains in effect for Red Lake, with a Flood Watch issued for Kenora and Dryden. The orders have been issued by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.