Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – December 30, 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.
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.
Outlook
The relatively dry fall conditions with total three-month precipitation values varying 25-70% below normal resulted in below-average flows and levels across most watersheds. The precipitation amounts received during the month of December were localized in nature and close to seasonal averages. The snow on the ground is variable across the Trent and Severn River Watersheds. The recent warmer weather event, in combination with the rainfall, resulted in flows increases in the Trent and Severn Rivers.
The Trent-Severn Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
Most lakes remain below long-term average water levels. Gull and Burnt Rivers are below average. Most Central Lakes are below near long-term average water levels.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
The Kawartha Lakes are about 5 – 10 cm above average and declining, subject to seasonal drawdown. Otonabee River flows are near average as a result of the rainfall event and operational adjustments. All river reaches are within their seasonal ranges.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake is above average and is declining, and the Lower Trent River reaches remain in the seasonal ranges. Trent River flows are near average.
Severn River and Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe water levels are near average and above rule curve. Black River and Severn River flows are below average. River and lake sections on the Severn River are below average.