Coalition for Equitable Water Flow

TSW Budget Cuts

There has been a lot of press recently regarding the significant Federal Government budget cuts, including how they will impact Parks Canada, and the TSW specifically. Here is the letter CEWF just received from TSW updating our situation:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Stakeholders_Letter_May_3_2012.pdf

We shall press on to understand the proposed specific implications to water management at our next meeting with TSW Management. Stay tuned.

TSW Water Levels - Status Update

 

Based on information received from TSW, CEWF understands that as of April 24, 2012:

• TSW is making every effort to fill the reservoir lakes, which are generally not far off being full.

• This has resulted in low flow rates throughout the system, especially on the Gull, negatively impacting the flow-through lakes.

• Precipitation for April to date has been a mere 3 mm - the average is closer to 60. Rain is needed during the next 4 weeks if the reservoirs are to be filled.

• TSW must sustain adequate flow for fisheries e.g. Walleye spawning below Drag Lake

• A bigger concern is the Canal Lakes - while close to the navigational level, they are low for this time of year, and will drop further if there is no rain. There will be pressure to start drawing down the reservoirs early if there is no rain.

Stay tuned for further updates as they become available, including the projected impacts of the Federal budget cuts to Parks Canada.

 

Our Views in the News

A good article in The Echo laying out the CEWF positions:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Haliburton_Echo_Defining_Priorities_on_the_TSW.pdf

How is my Lake Water Level...?

What's my water level? - we all have that important question about our lakes throughout the season. Happily the TSW is once again providing timely data on the actual measured lake water levels via their web site:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/visit/ne-wl/trent_e.asp

But then there is the very common follow-up statement - "I've never seen it like this in all my years!". True or false? Well to help more accurately quantify that, the TSW has agreed to provide us with its historical data for our lakes, measured since 1988. We have taken this data, and for each member lake created an information page showing the maximum, minimum and average lake levels by calendar date, as well as an explanation of how to read each chart. Look up your lake's historical data, and compare to its current status to better assess your situation:

 http://cewf.typepad.com/Average_Water_Levels.pdf

Yes folks - we are experiencing some crazy weather again this year, and managing the water levels will be a major challenge. Stay informed, be prepared - summer is just around the corner, or is it here already...!?

 

(Note: if there is any CEWF member Lake Association whose information is missing, or if there are any questions on the information provided, please contact us at cewfchair@yahoo.ca).

 

It's Canada Water Week!

Yes, spring has arrived in dramatic fashion this year, and this being Canada Water Week makes it a particularly good time to reflect on the importance that water plays in our lives:

http://canadawaterweek.com/

And capturing how this plays out in Haliburton, a related article from The Echo:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Haliburton_Echo_Water_Week_2012.pdf

CEWF Position Statement

The 2012 season will soon be getting underway, and with that the annual TSW set of activities and challenges. To keep us all working from the same play book, we have recorded the positions CEWF has adopted on the key issues:

http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF_2012_Position_Paper.pdf

In these positions, at our core we believe in managing the water at the 'watershed level'. To understand more fully what this entails, here is an information background paper:

 http://cewf.typepad.com/Integrated_Water_Management_at_the_Watershed_Level.pdf

Please read these to be informed. Share the information with all your friends and neighbours who are impacted by the TSW system. Note the section on 'what can I do?'. And send your questions or comments to cewfchair@yahoo.ca.

 

2011 Year-End Update

The cottage and boating season may be over, but CEWF continues to be busy. Here is the 2011 year-end update:

http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF_2011_Year_End_Review.pdf

 

Happy Holidays to all. Come on 2012!

 

CEWF 2011 AGM - Followup

This year's CEWF Annual General Meeting was held Sep 17, 2011 at the Haliburton Fish Hatchery. For further information, see the following:

 Meeting summary and feedback:  http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF2011GM_Summary.pdf

 Presentation material:    http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF2011GM_Presentation.pdf

 Haliburton Echo article:    http://cewf.typepad.com/September_20_2011_Echo.pdf

 

A succssful meeting. Now enjoy your Thanksgiving amidst our beautiful Reservoir Lakes.

TSW & CEWF In the News:

Of recent interest to all members:

1. The CEWF AGM as covered by The Echo of Haliburton County:       http://www.haliburtonecho.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3305457
2. The TSW as covered by Cottage Life (Oct 2011):  http://cottagelife.com/39961/environment/water-shorelines/trouble-on-the-trent-severn-waterway

And remember - the Ontario election Oct 6, 2011. Make sure you determine your candidates' positions on support for updated water management, and the TSW infrastructure. Ask the questions. Make your vote count.

Note: FOCA put out an excellent election guide aimed at cottage owners. For example, did you know you could choose to vote in your cottage riding to make a greater impact? Read here:

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=atkgmkdab&v=001TJF9TTZcRzXTiP84q7ML3cTYCap9sEfI_Zl9c2h5Hpj45WYxJ4ZhXlB6n-EsQxWG_ApJb7VeE7UzI_VpWEad145vkRZpL3RXT5SC3vQ_BcE%3D

TSW Information Shortfall

TSW Restricts Flow of Timely Water Level Information

CEWF regrets the need to advise our members on the Haliburton Reservoir and Flow-Though lakes that the Trent Severn Waterway will not be providing water level forecasts for 2011 during the summer draw-down, despite repeated efforts by CEWF stressing the value of this information. Dawn Bronson, the Parks Canada, Central Ontario Field Unit Superintendent, has advised CEWF that internal operating and technical issues make it impossible for the TSW to provide this information for 2011. However she has made the following commitment “I will be addressing the situation in advance of next year and anticipate that in 2012 we will be in a better position to provide you (CEWF) with the sort of information you have had in the past couple years”.

Internal issues at the TSW are also cited as the reason that their water level web-site is experiencing a two-week, or longer, delay in the posting of current water level information, despite Parks Canada's announcement in 2009 of public access to 'almost real time water level information'.

If you are concerned about the loss of timely water level information as well as the absence of water level forecasts for 2011 please consider letting CEWF know about specific negative impacts on your lake so that we may convey these to the TSW on your behalf.

Also consider contacting Barry Devolin, MP Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock to express your concerns, with a copy to the Coalition. Barry is a member of the Trent-Severn caucus as well as being our local MP, his e-mail and phone contacts are:

barry.devolin@parl.gc.ca 

Phone: 705-324-2400   Toll-Free: 1-866-688-9881