Coalition for Equitable Water Flow

TSW Navigation Season Delay

For the full announcement from TSW - click here

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From the TSW:

TRENT-SEVERN WATERWAY:

2019 NAVIGATION SEASON START DELAYED  UNTIL MAY 24, 2019

Due to unsafe boating conditions, Parks Canada is delaying the start of the 2019 navigation season for the Trent-Severn Waterway until Friday, May 24, 2019. Above normal snowpack in some areas and significant precipitation system-wide have resulted in extreme high water levels and flows throughout the Trent-Severn Waterway which causes unsafe boating conditions. The safety of the public and our visitors is always our number one priority.

Water Management Update - May9/19

To view the Water Management Update from TSW - click here

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From the TSW:

Water Level Management Update –Thursday May 9, 2019

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting  a strong, low system which may result in total of 50 mm of rain and heavier amounts in localized areas impacted by thunderstorms.   

Outlook

The impacts from the above average amounts of precipitation received remain across the system.  While still high, flows and water levels have started to recede across all locations. However, the heavy amount of rain expected in the short-term forecast is of concern.   The Trent-Severn Water Management team are actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.

Haliburton and Northern Areas

Water levels and flows remain high in northern areas. Most lake levels on the Gull River, Burnt River system, and Central Lakes are above full or near full and are leveling off. Lake levels are monitored on a 24 hour basis and operational activities are currently conducted and based on the current watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff amounts and forecasted rainfall. The flows on Burnt River are near average and receding but expected to level off and be sustained by the enhanced runoff from precipitation.  The flows on the Gull River are above average for this time of year. 

Water Management Update - May4/19

To view the full Water Management Update from TSW - click here

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From the TSW:

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting  a relatively dry period with less than 5 mm of rain.   

Outlook

While the snowmelt  runoff is receding, the impact from the received rain remains across the system.  Flows and water levels remain high and continue to increase at some locations as the impacts of the rain runoff is making its way through the system.

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

Water levels and flows remain high in northern areas. Most lake levels on the Gull River, Burnt River system and Central Lakes are above full or near full and are leveling off. Lake levels are monitored on a 24 hour basis and operational activities are currently conducted and based on the current watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff amounts and forecasted rainfall. The flows on Gull River and Burnt River have peaked but are expected to remain high because of the high amount of runoff from precipitation. 

 

"The water has never been so high..."

2019 is turning out to be another year of high spring water levels and widespread flooding in eastern Canada, similar to 2013 and 2017.

We have had, and are facing record rainfalls onto saturated and even frozen ground, with more snow in some areas. The rains have covered the whole Trent River Basin from Haliburton to Lake Ontario. Even though the reservoirs were kept quite low in anticipation of a late melt and possible rainfall events, as of the last week of April the lakes are full and being overfilled to try to reduce flooding in areas downstream.

At the Coalition, we often hear people say “the water level on my lake has never been so high” when in fact that may not be the case. To get a perspective this year’s water levels, it may be helpful to look at the charts for 2013 and 2017 which are available on the CEWF website. Look at the top right hand side of this CEWF home web page and click on the link for the year of interest.

The TSW has been providing regular water management updates and we encourage to keep reading these, but also to take a look back to get a better understanding of the similarities and differences in each of these high spring water level years.

Water Management Update - Apr30/19

To view the Water Management Update from TSW - click here

To view the Flood Warning from MNRF - click here

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From the TSW:

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting  another heavy and widespread rain event with totals as high as 55 mm of precipitation.  Air temperatures remain around double digits in Haliburtons and positive overnight. 

Outlook

While the snowmelt  runoff is receding, the impact from the forecasted amount of rain remains a concern.  Flows and water levels remain high and will continue to increase at all locations as the impacts of the rain runoff will making its way through the system.

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

Water levels and flows remain high in northern areas. Most lake levels on the Gull River system are above full  and expected to increase as a result of the forecasted rain amounts. Most lake levels on the Burnt River system are near full  and expected to  increase as a result of the forecasted rain amounts. Most Central Lakes are near full. Lake levels are monitored on a 24 hour basis and operational activities are currently conducted and based on the current watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff amounts and forecasted rainfall. The flows on Gull River and Burnt River are very high and expected to remain high sustained by the enhanced runoff from precipitation. 

Water Management Update - Apr25/19

From the TSW:

Water Level Management Update – Thursday, April 25, 2019

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting  another heavy and widespread rain event with totals as high as 45 mm of precipitation with most of it occurring on Friday.  Air temperatures remain around double digits in Haliburtons and positive overnight.

Outlook

With the ongoing snowmelt and significant received and forecasted amount of rain, coupled with warm temperatures, flows and water levels have increased and will continue to increase at all locations as the impacts of the rain and melting snow work their way through the system.

The Trent-Severn Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.

Ice on Shorelines

The temperature variations above the freezing mark makes ice weak along the shoreline which is then 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 leading to shoreline damage. The current forecast winds are moderate, but may reach up to 30 km/ hr gusts. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week, ice out should continue. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas

With the onset of the snowmelt and significant rain amounts, water levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. Snow amounts are still remaining in the most northern areas of the Gull River system. Most lake levels on the Gull River and Burnt River systems are now above average, above full and/or quickly approaching full conditions due to the melt and received rain, and will continue to rise as a result of the forecasted rain amounts. Most Central Lakes are above average. Lake levels are monitored on a 24 hour basis and operational activities are currently conducted and based on the current watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff amounts, snow pack conditions and forecasted rainfall. The flows on Gull River are very high, increasing with high runoff from the precipitation already received and expected to increase. The flows on the Burnt River declining, but remain high and expected to be sustained as a result of the forecasted precipitation.

 

Flood Warning

To view the MNRF update of April 23/19 - click here

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The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) - Bancroft District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning is in effect for all of Bancroft District.

Snow remains in the upper reaches of northern watersheds and with the onset of snowmelt, water levels and flows are rising rapidly. Most lakes on the Gull River and Burnt River systems are full or approaching full levels and storage capacity for additional melt and precipitation is limited. The flows on Gull River and Burnt remain above average. Flows on the Burnt River have peaked and are declining; however, the Gull River through the Village of Minden continues to rise and is expected to do so over the coming days. There is a strong likelihood  that typical flood prone areas on the Gull River will experience flooding. The peak of this event on the Gull system is unlikely to be realized until early next week.

Water Management Update - Apr21/19

To view the Update on the Parks Canada website - click here

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Water Level Management Update – Sunday, April 21, 2019

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting  from 10-15 mm of precipitation. Air temperatures remain around double digits in Haliburtons and positive overnight.

Outlook

With the ongoing snowmelt and significant received and forecasted amount of rain, coupled with warm temperatures, flows and water levels have increased and will continue to increase at all locations as the impacts of the rain and melting snow work their way through the system.

The Trent-Severn Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.

Haliburton and Northern Areas

With the onset of the snowmelt and significant rain amounts, water levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. Snow amounts are still remaining above average for this time of the year in the most northern areas of the Gull River system. Most lake levels on the Gull River and Burnt River systems remain below average but are rising due to the melt, accelerated with the warm temperatures and ongoing rainfall. Most Central Lakes are above average and are rising. Lake levels are monitored on a 24 hour basis and operational activities are currently conducted and based on the current watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff amounts, snow pack conditions and forecasted rainfall. The flows on Gull River and Burnt River are very high, increasing with high runoff from the precipitation already received and expected to increase.

Water Management Update - Apr18/19

With a major rainfall event now occurring the water levels and flows are changing quickly. Both MNRF and TSW have issued updated reports.

For the Water Management Update from Parks Canada - click here

For the Flood Warning from MNRF - click here

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From Parks Canada:

Weather

The five day weather forecast is predicting up to 68 mm of precipitation. Air temperatures will approach double digits in Haliburtons and remain positive overnight. 

Outlook

With the ongoing snowmelt and significant forecasted amount of rain, coupled with warm temperatures, flows and water levels are expected to increase at all locations as the impacts of the rain and melting snow work their way through the system.

The Trent Severn Water Management team will be active and the changing conditions will be closely monitored.   Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district. 

Ice on shorelines

The temperature variations around and above the freezing mark makes ice weak along the shoreline which is then 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 leading to shoreline damage. The current forecast winds are moderate but increasing to a high reaching up to 38 km/ hr gusts. 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 remain above average for this time of the year in the most northern areas of the Gull River system. Most lakes on the Gull River and Burnt River systems remain below average but are rising due to the onset of the melt. Lake levels are monitored daily and assessed in relation to estimated runoff amounts. Most Central Lakes with exception of Jack Lake are below average and are rising due to the ongoing snowmelt. The flows on Gull River and Burnt River remain above average due to the snowmelt and operational activities. Flows on both rivers are anticipated to increase with increased runoff from the forecasted precipitation. 

TSW Water Management Overview

The CEWF Executive Committee has been receiving some questions and comments from members regarding this spring’s water management in the reservoirs by Parks Canada. The main concern we have heard relates to the late filling of many of the reservoirs.

Your Executive has been in regular communication with the TSW water management team, and we understand their strategy and actions. The TSW strategy is definitely to minimize the risk of flooding related to snowmelt and spring rainfall events remembering the extreme flood events of 2013 and 2017 both of which occurred when the reservoir levels were fairly high as a result of extreme rainfall events (April 15 to 19 in 2013, and April 30 to May 6 in 2017). In 2018, there was an extreme rainfall event in the forecast at the end of April that resulted in TSW action to lower the levels in many reservoirs resulting in high flows and rapid level changes. The more gradual filling this year is maintaining storage capacity for such rainfall events and forecasts.

The TSW is also monitoring the levels of water stored as snow and in the soil as well as drainage local runoff rates. This spring we had a greater than average snowpack and a late melt particularly in the upper Gull basin. The long range forecast has been for a wet spring and already there have been several significant rain and rain on snow events. The TSW has begun filling reservoirs in the upper Burnt River system and in the Central lakes with the most significant filling in lakes that are known to be harder to fill. In the Gull, the harder to fill reservoirs have seen log adjustments while the TSW has maintained storage capacity in other lakes particularly those just above Minden and in large headwater lakes like Kennisis.

The TSW is now posting frequent Water Management Updates detailing forecasts and changing conditions. The updates are also posted on the CEWF website. It is important to follow these updates as condition may change quickly at this stage of the spring runoff.

To view the latest update issued April 16 - click here