Trent-Severn Waterway Water Management Update
Friday, March 12, 2021
Weather
The 7-day forecast is indicating temperatures close to zero degrees Celsius and low precipitation amount. This week's weather event resulted in a small precipitation event of 5 mm combined with temperatures approaching above 10 degrees and above zero at night. The warm-up and cool-down period was estimated to be approximately 36 hours in length. The brief warm spell is followed by more seasonal temperatures.
Outlook
Rainfall and warm temperatures have, for the most part, primed the snow to be ready to run off and also resulted in the ongoing snowmelt in the southern watershed. Water levels and outflows are expected to remain elevated at all locations due to the precipitation and snowmelt. Trent Severn Water Management team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
Most of the reservoir lakes remain at their respective winter set dam configuration. Water levels on the lakes, in general, are below average and are levelling off after the recent event. Flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers remain below average for this time of year and will likely stabilize with the onset of cold weather this weekend. The current snowpack is measured to vary from above average in some areas to average for this time of the year and is slowly receding with warm temperatures and localized melt.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Water levels on the Kawartha Lakes are below average but are levelling off due to the recent rain and ongoing snowmelt. Water flows on the Otonabee River are below average for this time of year. Flows will likely rise as a result of the mild temperatures and precipitation.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake's water level is above the long-term average and is rising as a result of the snowmelt. Water flows on the Lower Trent River are below average and expected to rise as a result of the recent event.