— The following is a release from Trent Severn Waterway Parks Canada —
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – April 11, 2025
Parks Canada’s water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
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.
Weather
The five-day forecast suggests a 5-15 mm rain event early next week. Air temperatures are expected to significantly increase this weekend, resulting in snowpack melt, which remains high in the northern watersheds.
Outlook
While cold temperatures resulted in the recession of inflows over the past week, watersheds remain saturated. Flows and water levels are expected to remain high at all locations as the impacts of anticipated rain and melting snow work their way through the system. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.
Ice on shorelines
The temperature variations around and above the freezing mark make ice weak along the shoreline, which can be easily broken and moved by windy conditions. The areas subject to the greatest impact are those facing the primary wind direction. In the event of strong wind conditions, the public should be aware of possible onshore ice movement leading to shoreline damage. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week, ice-out should continue.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
With the resumption of melting snow, levels and flows will be rising in northern areas. Gull River Lakes are 85% full, Burnt River Lakes are 85% full, and Central Lakes are 93% full. All systems remain above average. Lake levels are monitored daily and assessed in relation to the estimated runoff amounts. The flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers, while receding, remain high. Flows on the Gull River are anticipated to remain high due to runoff from the forecasted precipitation and resumed snowmelt. Flows on Burnt are expected to recede and are subject to change as a result of runoff from the remaining amount of snow and forecasted precipitation. All the Central Lakes outflows are receding.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
All Kawartha Lakes are above full and leveling off. Levels on the Kawarthas are expected to remain high due to significant inflows from the Haliburton area and forecasted amounts of rainfall. Water levels on the Kawartha lakes will continue to be monitored and the high levels balanced across the lakes. Flows on the Otonabee River are high and will continue to gradually increase.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Water levels on Rice Lake and the Lower Trent are high and continue to increase due to increased inflows from local creeks, the Otonabee River, and Crowe River. The Crowe River has crested and is receding.
Lake Simcoe and the Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are significantly above average and the rule curve. Black River flows remain high, however, it has peaked and is receding. The Lake St. John dam remains closed. The Swift Rapids dam flows are maximized. Water levels and flows are expected to remain high everywhere on the Severn River. The high water levels on Lake Simcoe will continue to be monitored and balanced with the Severn River areas downstream of Washago.