THUNDER BAY – Major rainfalls and rising water levels are playing havoc on the region.
The Fort Frances district is seeing some significant flooding.
In Sioux Lookout, the Sunset Inn has suffered flooding.
The water levels are also impacting outfitters.
Coppen’s Resort on Rainy Lake has announced, “We are sorry to have to say this but the lake levels are very high and still rising. We will be closing camp June 4th and will not be able to take any guests until at least the end of June.
“I will try to notify everyone with reservations but if you see this post please call to discuss what you would like us to do with your reservation. We can move to later in season, move to next year or cancel and return your deposit. We are sorry this has happened we know you have all been waiting a long time to return just as we have been waiting to see you all again”.
Coppen’s Resort is not the only seasonal resort with issues from the extended rainfall and high water levels. Located on Rainy Lake they are seeing fellow outfitters having similar issues.
This time of year, especially for fishing outfitters is critical. For the average outfitter, easily 50 per cent of the year’s revenues come through the month of June. The start of the fishing season is just that critical for outfitters.
Coming on the two-year closure of the United States / Canada international border many outfitters were counting on those visitors and the income to get back up on their feet.
Massive snowfall over the winter and above normal rainfall this spring have caused flooding and road washouts across the region.
The cost for road repairs, and the damage to provincial infrastructure is going to mount.
