Release from TSW:
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – November 5, 2024
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.
Parks Canada maintains the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Trent-Severn Waterway website at: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/point-gestion-eau-water-management-updates
The InfoNet contains background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.
This information is intended as supplemental information only. Please refer to your respective Conservation Authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to your area. These are: Kawartha Conservation, Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Conservation Authority, Lower Trent Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority or, in all other areas of the Trent and Severn Watersheds, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Information can also be found on the Ontario Flood Forecasting and Warning Program.
Weather
Rainfall amounts for September and October have contributed to 25-75 % less precipitation compared to the long-term averages. The months of September and October contributed to values that are less than 50-75 mm than the long-term mean. The 5-day forecast suggests a temperature trend above freezing mark and about 3-16 mm of rain.
Outlook
The extended low amounts of precipitation have decreased flows and water levels at most locations. The most recent rain fall events were spatially variable and not significant, as a result currently, flows remain below average and receding across the Trent-Severn Watershed. The current forecast indicates that water levels and outflows may continue to decline and are subject to change depending on amounts of rain in the forecast.
The Trent-Severn Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
The extended trend of below-average precipitation has impacted the watersheds across the entire Trent-Severn Waterway, including the reservoir lakes. Most lakes are well below long-term average water levels. Most of the reservoir lakes remain at their respective winter set dam configuration. The Gull River reservoirs are 35% full, and the Burnt River reservoirs are 35% full. The Central Reservoirs are 40% full. The Gull and Burnt River flows are significantly below average.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
The Kawartha Lakes are near average and are subject to the gradual seasonal drawdown. The Otonabee River is below average for this time of year.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake is slightly above average, and the Lower Trent is currently being sustained by the minimum flows out of the Otonabee River.
Severn River
Lake Simcoe’s water levels are below average but on the rule curve and stable. Lake Simcoe outflows remain minimized. Flows on the Black River and Severn River are significantly below average.