As we all start to breath again while the weather gives us a bit of a break, there is a lot of work now being done behind the scenes to balance the system back to where it should be. There is still a lot of water being held in the upper reservoirs and dam operations will continue to pass the excess water. Be aware of flow conditions when near rivers and exercise caution around fast moving water.
— The Following is a release from Trent Severn Waterway and Parks Canada —
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.
Weather
Precipitation amounts during the month of March were 25 to 50 mm above normal. Significant rainfall from April 1 to April 19 has resulted in total precipitation amounts of 110 to 148 mm, increasing water levels and flows across the Trent-Severn Waterway. Historical average rainfall for the entire month of April across the Trent-Severn Waterway ranges from 60 to 80 mm. The five-day weather forecast predicts a relatively dry period with less than 15 mm of rain.
Outlook
Air temperatures remain in the double digits in the Haliburtons, with positive overnight lows. The Trent-Severn Waterway Water Management team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your local conservation authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
While snowmelt runoff is receding, the impact of the significant rainfall combined with rapid snowmelt remains a concern. Flows and water levels remain high and will continue to remain high at all locations as the impacts of the rain runoff is making its way through the system. Consequently, the Gull and Burnt River Reservoir Lakes are overfull. The Gull and Burnt rivers have recently peaked. Some lake levels have begun to stabilize. Central Lakes are full or overfull. Lake levels are monitored 24 hours a day, and operational activities are conducted based on watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff, and forecast rainfall.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
The Kawartha Lakes levels are overfull. Levels have started to stabilize, but will continue to remain high due to high inflows from the Haliburtons. The Otonabee River flow will remain high.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake is overfull, but it has peaked and is stable. Lower Trent levels are high but stable.
Lake Simcoe and the Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are above average and above full. The Black River flow has peaked. Water levels and flows are high on the Severn River and will remain high as water is released from Lake Simcoe. The dam at Lake St. John remains closed to prevent backflow.