With the ever changing conditions, and exceptional rain fall, the TSW is working hard to balance down stream flows and reservoir water levels. With ice still on the lakes the rising water levels poses damage risk as does flooding downstream when the flows get too high. Everything is being very closely monitored and we will continue work to get information out as quickly as possible.
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– – The following is a release from the Trent Severn Waterway Parks Canada —
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – April 6, 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.
Weather
The Trent-Severn Waterway has received a significant amount of precipitation over the month of March, amounting to 25-75 mm above the monthly norm. This is followed by a significant rainfall at the beginning of April, amounting in some locations to nearly monthly totals. The five-day forecast suggests an additional 30 mm, with air temperatures approaching the freezing mark at the start of the week and seeing gradual increases in temperature towards the weekend. Flood Warnings have been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources system-wide.
Outlook
With the onset of the snowmelt, the significant amount of received precipitation, the forecasted amount of rain and warm temperatures, flows and water levels are expected to continue increasing at all locations as the impacts of the 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 office. Municipalities are responsible for emergency management, including the provision of sandbags.
Ice on shorelines
The temperature variations around and above the freezing mark makes 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 that could lead to shoreline damage. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week, ice-out should continue.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
With the onset of the snowmelt water, levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. Snow amounts, while depleting due to the warm temperatures, still remain in the most northern areas of the Haliburton Reservoir system. Gull River Lakes are 82% full, Burnt River Lakes are 84% full, and Central Lakes are 94% full. All systems remain above average and are rising due to the onset of the snowmelt. Lake levels are monitored daily and assessed in relation to estimated runoff amounts. The flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers are significantly above average due to the snowmelt. Flows on both rivers are anticipated to remain high due to runoff from the received precipitation and ongoing snowmelt.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
All Kawartha Lakes are above full and rising. Levels on the Kawarthas are expected to rise due to higher inflows from the Haliburton area and the forecasted amounts of rainfall. The levels on Kawartha Lakes will continue to be monitored, and the balancing of the high levels across the lakes will continue. 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, Crowe River.
Lake Simcoe and the Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are significantly above average and the rule curve and are increasing. Black River flows remain high. The Lake St. John dam remains closed. The Swift Rapids dam flows are maximised. Due to high flows from Swift Rapids Dam, the flows via Big Chute are maximised, and the excess water is being diverted through Pretty Channel into Six Mile Lake. Water levels and flows are expected to increase everywhere on the Severn River. The levels on Lake Simcoe will continue to be monitored, and the balancing of the high water in the Severn River areas downstream of Washago will continue.