Parks Canada’s water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Trent-Severn Waterway. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Weather
Rainfall amounts for the month of May contributed to values that are less than 50-75 mm than the long-term mean. Recent rain events have contributed to a system wide increase in flows and levels. The 10-day forecast suggests a transition to high temperatures, with less than 5 mm of rain in the forecast.
Outlook
The impacts from the recent precipitation events remain across the system. However, flows and water levels have started to recede across all locations.
The Trent-Severn Waterway 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 lakes are near or above long-term average water levels. The Gull River, Burnt River, and Central Reservoirs are nearing capacity. Flows on the Gull River and Burnt River have increased above their minimum flows because of the recent rain and currently near their long-term averages for this time of the year. Burnt River flows have peaked and are expected to recede because of the low amount of precipitation in the forecast.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
The Kawartha Lakes are above average. The dam controlling the levels on Lake Scugog, has all logs in. Otonabee River flows have been increased above minimum flows and are currently near the long-term average.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake is above the average water levels and the Lower Trent River remains within standard navigable ranges.
Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are above average, and outflows are being increased. Black River flows are above average because of the recent rain events. Severn River flows have been increased and are currently near the long-term average. Flow changes may continue depending on the rainfall received. Lake St. John is at summer set.