-The following is a release directly from the Trent Severn Waterway Parks Canada-
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – March 11, 2025
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
The forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week suggests a precipitation event of 15 to 30 mm combined with plus temperatures approaching 10-15 degrees and above zero at night. The warm-up and cool-down period is estimated to be approximately 48 hours in length. The brief warm spell is followed by more seasonal temperatures.
Outlook
Rainfall and warm temperatures earlier in the week have, for the most part, primed the snow to be ready to run off. Water levels and outflows are expected to increase 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 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 rain-on-snow event. Flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers are near average for this time of year and will likely increase with the rainfall and warm temperatures. The current snowpack is measured to be above average for this time of the year.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
The levels on the Kawartha Lakes are below average, being subject to the drawdown, but are levelling off due to the recent rain and snow melt event. Flows on the Otonabee River are on average for this time of year. Flows will likely remain higher as a result of the event and the continued need to drawdown the Kawartha Lakes.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake’s water level is below the long-term average and is levelling off. Flows on the Lower Trent River are below average but expected to increase.
Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are below average and are increasing due to the recent event. Flows on the Black River are about average and increasing. Flows on the Severn River are above average and will continue to increase with additional discharge from Lake Simcoe and additional flows generated by the upcoming event.