Water Levels Update to December 19th
CEWF has been monitoring reservoir and flow-through lake water levels and regional precipitation amounts closely throughout 2016. We also maintain regular communication with the TSW water management staff.
The logs in reservoir dams were set for winter by October first, and water levels declined normally in early October. The period from mid-October to November 28th saw drought conditions return and since there was very little rain, river flows and water levels on many lakes continued to decline well below normal seasonal levels. More than 30mm of rain fell in the last three days of November and that allowed water levels to stabilize or rise closer to normal levels on most of the reservoirs. At the time of freeze up the entire basin remained very dry as a result of the extreme drought conditions which persisted for most of the summer and fall.
As of December 16th we have already received more than the normal monthly precipitation for December as measured at Haliburton. The long range forecast is for a “colder than normal” winter and conditions are right for significant lake effect snowfall over the Haliburton Sector area. From a water management perspective this is positive news for the spring as the accumulated snow will not only assist the reservoirs to fill in spring, but will also help with soil moisture and groundwater replenishment throughout the basin.
However, this forecast for a cold winter may also result in further declines in water levels in the reservoirs as we experienced in the cold winter of 2014.
Capital Projects Update
There are four significant capital projects underway or planned over winter in the reservoir lakes.
- The Drag Lake dams are undergoing rehabilitation work this winter and the contractor is now onsite.
- The Horseshoe Lake Dam is being replaced and the contractor is onsite. The road has been temporarily closed to allow for site preparation. The expected completion date will be at the end of summer 2017.
- The Loon Lake Dam will have concrete repair work undertaken by TSW staff over the winter with completion date in March, followed be site rehabilitation in the spring.
- The Mississagua Dam replacement project now has a contractor in place and the detailed timeline is being worked out. It is expected the contractor will start work over the winter and construction will continue through the summer.
Enjoy the Season!