As posted on the Parks Canada website:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/plan/plan16/plan16h.aspx
Water Management Update
March 24, 2015 - Parks Canada manages water on the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Rideau Canal on a system-wide basis to meet a broad range of stakeholder needs including recreation, municipal water supply, flood mitigation, hydro power generation and fisheries management. The complexities of these multiple and interconnected considerations dictate the need to monitor and manage water on a full time basis and continuously throughout the year, but it is particularly critical during the spring melt, or freshet.
This winter, severe cold, leading to thicker ice, and a lack of mid-winter snow melt throughout Ontario contributed to below average water levels along Ontario Waterway systems and lake and river flows continue to be lower than usual for this time of year.
In preparation for the spring freshet, dam operations are currently underway in order to transition from winter settings and gradually fill reservoir lakes along the systems. Parks Canada staff continues to collect and analyse information regarding this year's snow pack, the snow depth and its water content. Technical data analysis is conducted to assist the Agency with determining the expected inflows into the various water bodies in the watershed, and informs their decision making related to appropriate water levels in lakes. Parks Canada staff have also been engaged in such activities as clearing ice and snow from the dams in order to ensure that all equipment is in good working order and in a state of operational readiness on approach to the spring freshet.
While Parks Canada manages water levels year round, municipal partners and conservation authorities are responsible for flood preparedness and education, declaring public emergency, and provision for emergency situations. Residents concerned about water level conditions are encouraged to follow up with these organizations in their area in advance to ensure they are well prepared. In addition, Parks Canada will post water management updates as the spring progresses to their website and Facebook and Twitteraccounts.