Coalition for Equitable Water Flow

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

Water Management Update - Apr14/19

For the full update from the Parks Canada website - click here

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Water Level Management Update – Sunday, April 14, 2019

Weather

The five day forecast suggests 63-73 mm with 50 percent of this amount expected within the next 24 hours. Air temperatures will remain above zero during the day and will approach freezing mark overnight.

Outlook

With onset of the 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 actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.

Water Management Update - Apr11/19

From the TSW:

Water Level Management Update – Thursday, April 11, 2019

Weather

The five day forecast suggests 30-45 mm with air temperatures reaching double digits in the Halliburton areas.

Outlook

With onset of the snowmelt and 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 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 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 not overly high. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week ice out should continue. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas

With the recent rain on snow event water levels and flows and the onset of the melt 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 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. The flows on Gull River and Burnt remain above average due to the snowmelt. Flows are on both rivers are anticipated to increase. 

Water Management Update - Apr9/19

From the TSW:

Water Level Management Update – Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Weather

The five day forecast suggests 5 to 10 mm of rainfall with no large amount on any given day. Evening temperatures are expected to drop below zero over the weekend in the Haliburton area. 

Outlook

Flows and water levels are expected to increase at all locations for the rest of the week 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 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 not overly high. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week ice out should continue. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas

With the recent rain on snow event water levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. 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. The flows on Gull River and Burnt River remain above average due to the recent rain on snow event. Flows on both rivers are anticipated to increase. 

MNRF Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook

For the full MNRF Watershed Conditions Statement for the Bancroft District issued April 8 - click here

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

The 5-day forecast suggests 20-25 mm of rainfall with most of the precipitation falling mainly today and Friday. Air temperatures are forecasted to be near double digits; night temperatures will tend to stay above 0°C across the entire district. Another system is expected to move in by Friday that may increase precipitation amounts towards the end of the week and through the weekend.

Water Management Update - March 31/19

Water Level Management Update – Sunday, March 31, 2019

Weather

The total amounts of mixed precipitation recorded across the watersheds for the past 36 hours were 20-40 mm. The weather forecast for next 5 days is predicting small precipitation amounts close to 5 mm rain and 5 cm of snow with warmer air temperatures early next week.

Outlook

Moderate rainfall preceded with warm temperatures have, for the most part, primed the snow to be ready to run off and also resulted in the ongoing snowmelt and runoff across most of the watersheds.  Water levels and outflows have increased and are expected to increase at all locations due to the precipitation and ongoing snow melt and runoff from rain. 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. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

Most of the reservoir lakes remain at their respective winter set dam configuration. Water levels on the lakes in general are well below average and have increased from moderate snowfall amounts.  Flows on the Gull remain above average for this time of year while and Burnt River flows are below average and are increasing from the local runoff.  Current snowpack is measured to vary from above average in some areas to average for this time of the year and is slowly receding with warm temperatures and localized melt.

Water Management Update - Mar28/19

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

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Weather

The weather forecast for next 5 days is predicting a moderate mixed precipitation event of 5-20 mm with heavier amounts expected further south combined with plus temperatures approaching 10 degrees and above zero at night.  

Outlook

Rainfall and warm temperatures have, for the most part, primed the snow to be ready to run off and also resulted in the ongoing snowmelt in the southern watershed.  Water levels and outflows are expected to remain elevated at all locations due to the precipitation and snow melt. 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. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

Most of the reservoir lakes remain at their respective winter set dam configuration. Operational activities in some reservoir lakes are conducted in anticipation of localized melt. Water levels on the lakes in general are well below average and are levelling off and/or slightly increasing.  Flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers remain above average for this time of year and will likely increase with the rainfall and warm temperatures.  Current snowpack is measured to vary from above average in some areas to average for this time of the year and is slowly receding with warm temperatures and localized melt.

Water Management Update - Mar 21/19

From the TSW:

Weather

The weather forecast for Thursday and Friday of this week is predicting a small precipitation event of 5 mm combined with plus temperatures approaching 10 degrees and above zero at night during the weekend.  The warm up and cool down period is estimated to be approximately 36 hours in length.  The brief warm spell is followed by more seasonal temperatures.   

Outlook

Rainfall and warm temperatures earlier in the week have, for the most part, primed the snow to be ready to run off and even resulted in localized melt.  Water levels and outflows are expected to remain elevated at all locations due to the precipitation and snow melt. 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. 

Haliburton and Northern Areas 

Most of the reservoir lakes remain at their respective winter set dam configuration. Operational activities in some reservoir lakes were conducted last week to reduce water levels further in anticipation of localized melt. Water levels on the lakes in general are below average and are levelling off after the recent event.  Flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers remain above average for this time of year and will likely increase with the rainfall and warm temperatures.  Current snowpack is measured to vary from above average in some areas to average for this time of the year and is slowly receding with warm temperatures and localized melt.