— The following is a release by Trent Severn Waterway, Parks Canada —
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – May 28, 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.
For information on the most recent announcements regarding the partial closures of the Trent-Severn Waterway, see our information bulletin.
Weather
Over the past two weeks, the Trent-Severn Waterway has received 60 mm above normal precipitation. The current 5-day forecast suggests an additional 17 mm, which will sustain already high water levels and flows across the entire system. For the latest watershed conditions, please check the website of your local conservation authority or the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
Recent rainfall has brought the Gull, Burnt, and Central Lakes to full or slightly overfull conditions. Flows on the Gull have not peaked and will remain above seasonal levels. The Burnt River has peaked and begun to recede but is expected to level off and remain above seasonal with additional rainfall.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Water levels on the Kawartha Lakes are above average and over full and are expected to remain high due to the recent rainfall. Water levels and flows on the Otonabee River are high and will remain elevated until water levels on the Kawartha Lakes begin to recede.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Water levels on Rice Lake are above average but have crested and are now receding. Flows on the Lower Trent remain elevated due to recent rainfall and high inflows from both the Otonabee River and Crowe River.
Lake Simcoe and Severn River
The Black River has peaked and is expected to level off with incoming rain. Water levels and flows on the Severn River remain high and will stay elevated until levels decrease on Lake Simcoe and Sparrow Lake. Lake Simcoe’s water levels are above full and above the rule curve. Flows across the navigation channel will remain high to help reduce levels throughout the system.