— The following is a release from the Trent Severn Waterway Parks Canada —
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – March 27, 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.
Weather
The five-day forecast suggests a significant event with 50-65 mm of rainfall starting Friday.
Outlook
Flows from the north are currently cresting or decreasing. Flow rates will remain high, and the impact of the forecasted rain will see the flows increase. Water levels, in general, are expected to continue to increase on all lakes across the Trent-Severn Waterway.
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 office.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
Snowpack remains near average in the Haliburtons, and water levels on Gull River, Burnt River Watershed, and Central Lakes have peaked and are expected to increase. Lake levels are monitored daily and assessed in relation to estimated runoff amounts. The flows on Gull River are above average and steady. Burnt River flows are above average and are decreasing. Forecasted rainfall will likely cause the flows to increase again.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Most of the Kawartha Lakes are near full and above average. Levels will continue to rise with the sustained inflows from the northern areas. Flows on the Otonabee River are above average for this time of year. Increases in flow are anticipated based on the still-high inflows from northern areas and the forecasted rainfall.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake levels are above average. Water levels and flows in this area will be sustained due to the flows from the Otonabee and Crowe Rivers.
Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are above average, above the rule curve and appear to be levelling off. The Black River has crested and is now beginning to decline more rapidly. Sparrow Lake and Six Mile Lakes have now peaked and are beginning to recede. Lake St. John dam remains closed. Outflows from Lake Simcoe have been increased in order to maximize the storage available for the upcoming rain. Severn River flows are above average. Forecasted rainfall will cause flows to level off or increase again.