FROM THE TSW:
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Management Update March 18, 2022
Weather
The weather forecast for next 5 days is predicting a moderate mixed precipitation event of 20 mm combined with plus temperatures approaching 10 degrees and above zero at night.
Outlook
Recent weeks warm temperatures have primed the snow to be ready to run off and current above zero temperature trend resulted in the ongoing snowmelt in the southern watershed. Haliburton snowpack remained stable with no significant losses and tracks close to seasonal averages. Water levels and outflows are expected to remain elevated at all locations due to the precipitation and snow melt. Trent Severn Water Management team will be active and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed conditions 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. Operational activities in some reservoir lakes are conducted in anticipation of localized melt. Water levels on the lakes in general are well below average and are levelling off and/or slightly increasing. Flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers remain on average for this time of year and will likely increase with the rainfall and warm temperatures. Current snowpack is measured to vary from above average in some areas to average for this time of the year and is expected to slowly recede with warm temperatures and localized melt.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Water levels on the Kawartha Lakes are well below average, but are expected to level off due to the forecasted rain and ongoing snow melt. Water flows on the Otonabee River are above average for this time of year. Flows will likely remain higher as a result of the mild temperatures and precipitation.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake water level is below long term average and is leveling off. Water flows on the Lower Trent River are on average and expected to increase due to the amounts of the forecasted precipitation.
Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are above average, and are levelled off but are expected to increase. Flows on the Black River are on average and stable and expected to increase. Flows on the Severn River are on average and will continue to increase with additional discharge from Lake Simcoe and additional inflows generated by the mild temperature and rain.
(TSW website – click here)