Coalition for Equitable Water Flow

Update - The Drawdown Begins

Parks Canada - TSW has Posted a New Water Management Update and the first Drawdown Forecast of the Year. (see links below)

The first Drawdown Forecast of 2020 indicates that all reservoirs will begin to experience declining water levels over the next two week period. Several reservoirs will see declines of as much as 25 cms or 10 inches.

This spring the snowpack was normal in March but it melted very early with peak flows in late March and early April. In order to protect against the risk of flooding from extreme spring rainfall events like have occurred in several recent years, the TSW water management team adopted the strategy of only filling reservoirs to 90% of full and then allowing levels to come up with spring rainfall. Because of the dry spring many reservoirs did not get to their full levels or close to full until mid or late June.

As of last week all reservoirs had risen to be near normal levels for this time of year. But we are in a significant drought across the entire Trent Basin. April and May and now June have all been months with less than normal precipitation. The deficit for May and June is at least 25% less than normal and conditions are very dry with very little inflow to our lakes. There have been some exceptional thunderstorm rainfall events localized to a few areas in the reservoirs but the localized rainfall has not impacted inflows and lake level much. The dry conditions extend all the way south to the lower Trent River.

TSW has already reduced the flow on the Otonabee River at Peterborough to its minimum level to conserve water throughout the Trent River basin. Travelers may have noticed the very low minimum flows controlled by the dams at crossings like Bobcaygeon, Buckhorn and Burleigh Falls. We are facing a situation quite like or potentially more extreme than we did in 2016, when we experienced two months without significant rainfall. The flows on the Gull and Burnt rivers are now being regulated to provide just the minimum flow required to offset evaporation and maintain minimum levels and minimum flows downstream.

Beginning this week we expect to see a slow drawdown on all reservoirs. In the Central Lakes, Eels Lake saw log operations begin last week, and Crystal and Mississagua lakes will see log operations begin a drawdown this week increasing flows on their downstream rivers which have had very low flows and levels.

As we head into July the long range weather forecast is not yet showing major precipitation events. However we will need a major general rainfall across the whole of the Trent Basin to allow the water management regime to begin to return to more normal conditions.

The TSW Drawdown forecast for the next two weeks can be accessed here.

The TSW Water Management Update can be accessed here.

TSW Water Management Update - May 5/20

Reservoir lake levels are expected to rise slowly towards seasonal normal levels

From the TSW:

(https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/point-gestion-eau-water-management-updates)

Trent-Severn Waterway

The 7 day forecast is indicating temperatures above zero degrees Celsius and a low precipitation amount of approximately 5 mm.

Outlook

The watersheds of the Haliburton reservoirs experienced earlier than normal freshet, which in combination with warmer air temperatures has resulted in the loss of the most winter snowpack during late March and melt runoff recession in early April.  Given the normal amount of April precipitation, the public can expect the current lake levels to gradually rise during the month of May, achieving seasonal averages heading into summer. Currently, flows are close to average and receding across the Trent-Severn Watershed.

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

In general, water levels in the Haliburton Reservoirs are below average. The Gull River flows are slightly above average. The Burnt River flows are below average and receding. Levels are expected to gradually increase, and flows are expected to continue to recede with warmer temperatures and low precipitation.

TSW Water Management Update - Apr 17/20

From the TSW:

Weather

The 7 day forecast is indicating temperatures close to zero degrees Celsius overnight and mixed precipitation amount of approximately 10  mm.

Outlook

The watersheds of the Haliburton reservoirs experienced earlier than normal freshet which in combination with warmer air temperatures has resulted in the loss of the most winter snowpack.  The melt event generated higher than seasonal inflows and resulted in higher lake levels of the reservoirs. Given the remaining potential for seasonal rains in April and May, the public can expect lake levels to be held to current levels or lower to accommodate precipitation and to mitigate flooding while gradually achieving seasonal averages heading into summer. Currently flows have peaked and receding across the Trent-Severn Watershed. The weather forecast suggests that flows and levels should remain steady.

The Trent-Severn Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority. 

Ice on Shorelines

The freshet has increased water levels and as a result has moved the ice sheet on most lakes. As the ice sheet is not attached at the shoreline it can be moved by windy conditions. The areas subject to the greatest potential ice 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.

Haliburton and Northern Areas

In general, water levels in the Haliburton Reservoirs are above average; flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers are below average. Levels and flows are expected to stabilize.

 

TSW website - https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/point-gestion-eau-water-management-updates

 

Canoe FM - CEWF Broadcast

The program Planet Haliburton recently ran an episode interviewing CEWF Chair Ted Spence on 'Managing Water Levels Under a Changing Climate'. To listen - click here

Stay healthy.

TSW Water Management Update - Mar 23/20

TSW Posts First Water Management Update of the Season

Today the TSW has posted their first water management update of the season. We have seen and will continue to see significant rainfall and the snowpack melting over the reservoir area resulting in increased river flows and lake level increases. We are also expecting more precipitation events.

With ice still on the lakes we will again be facing ice sheets moving in the wind and impacting shorelines. As TSW points out residents must be prepared for ice flows impacting shorelines and related structures.

In some of the southern reservoirs in the Central Lakes area of northern Peterborough County, including Jacks, Crystal, Mississagua and Eels lakes, TSW has already begun log adjustments as the snow melt has proceeded. In some hard to fill reservoirs in the Gull and Burnt basins log operations have also begun based on daily analysis of levels, melt rates and flows.

We are entering a period when the need to fill lakes and reservoirs by late May must be balanced against the priority focus of minimizing the risk of flooding associated with the combination of extreme spring rainfall events and snowmelt. Given the experience in recent years, particularly in 2013 and 2017, with extreme spring rainfall events and flooding, TSW will be actively managing levels and flows.

The TSW water management team continues to manage based on the daily analysis of the latest data on water levels and flows, precipitation, snowpack melt rates, and weather forecasts.

To view the March 23, 2020 TSW update - click here

To view the TSW website - click here

 

CEWF 2020 Priorities

The CEWF Executive Committee annually lays out its priorities for the upcoming calendar year.

To view the CEWF overall objectives and priorities for 2020 - click here.

Please forward any comments or questions to cewfca@gmail.com

Enjoy the season!

Water Management Update - Jan 15/20

From the TSW:

Weather

The 7 day forecast is indicating temperatures below zero degrees Celsius and snowfall amount of approximately 25 cm. 

Outlook

The recent precipitation received over the last week, totalled approximately 50 to 75 mm of rain, snow, freezing rain and ice pellets.  This total precipitation resulted in high inflows which have increased water levels on lakes and river reaches.  The weather forecast suggests that inflows should steadily decrease in the smaller watersheds and declines in lake water levels is expected afterwards.  

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 recent high precipitation event has increased water levels and as a result has moved the ice sheet on most lakes.  As the ice sheet is not attached at the shoreline it can be moved by windy conditions. The areas subject to the greatest potential ice 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. Also of concern is some of the colder temperatures that are forecasted for beginning of next week.  With high outflows on Otonabee and Trent Rivers there is a possibility of the formation of frazil ice and potential ice jams. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

In general, water levels in the Haliburton Reservoirs are above average; flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers are above average.  Levels and flows are expected to peak in the next couple of days.   

Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River

The Kawartha Lakes water levels are above average; some lake levels are still increasing. Flows on the Otonabee River are above average for this time of year and are increasing.  Flows on the Otonabee River are expected to remain above average for the coming weeks.  

Rice Lake and the Lower Trent

Rice Lake water level is above average and leveling off. Flows on the Lower Trent River are above average and will remain very high for the coming weeks.

Severn River

Lake Simcoe water levels are above average. Flows on the Black and Severn Rivers are above average and are levelling off. Operations for Lake St. John were completed prior to the precipitation event.

 

Water Management Update - Jan 10/20

From the TSW:

Weather

The Weather Network is currently forecasting 50 to 75 mm of rainfall across the entire Trent and Severn River watersheds.  The bulk of this rainfall is anticipated to come Saturday. 

Outlook

The snow on the ground is variable across the Trent and Severn River Watersheds.  Snow south of the Kawarthas is below seasonal values while snow pack north of the Kawarthas is near seasonal values. The warmer weather in combination with the forecasted rainfall will likely remove most of the snow in Kawartha lakes and Lower Trent watersheds.  Flows in the Trent Severn are anticipated to rise significantly and water levels are expected to increase in all lakes and river reaches.

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 are near or below long term average water levels.  Gull and Burnt River are near or below average.  Most Central lakes are below long-term average water levels.

Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River

The Kawartha Lakes are about 10 cm below average and declining.  Otonabee River Flows are above average as a result of increased outflows in preparation of the large rainfall event.  All river reaches are within their seasonal ranges. 

Rice Lake and the Lower Trent

Rice Lake is below average and declining and the Lower Trent river reaches remain in the seasonal ranges. Trent River flows are above average.

Severn River

Lake Simcoe water levels are below average. Black River and Severn River flows are below average.  River and lake sections on the Severn River are below average.  Operations have been started for Lake St. John.

2019 TSW Water Levels Summary

At the end of December, the TSW resets its online water levels charts. In order to have a record of the 2019 water levels for all the reservoir and canal lakes CEWF is making available screen shots from the TSW site as of the end of December 2019. These include the actual 2019 water level data as well as the multi-year average and historic extremes. The summary charts are organized alphabetically within each sub-watershed as per the Key Map. They may be viewed by clicking the links below (see also under 'TSW Water Levels’ on right hand side of the CEWF website homepage).

2019 Key Map – click here
Burnt River Sub-watershed – click here
Gull River Sub-watershed – click here
Central Reservoirs Sub-watersheds – click here
Kawartha Lakes Sub-watershed – click here
Lower Trent Sub-watershed – click here
Severn River Sub-watershed – click here

Any questions on this material may be sent to cewfca@gmail.com

 

Happy New Year!!

Water Level Forecast - Oct 1/19

To view the TSW two week water level forecast covering the period September 30 - October 14, 2019 - click here.