Peterborough ON (October 3, 2019) The Otonabee Region Water Response Team (WRT) is issuing a Level 2 Low Water Condition declaration for the entire watershed area. The WRT had declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition on September 11, 2019.
On the same date, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported that all Conservation Authorities east of Otonabee Conservation also had Level 1 declarations in place, with the exception of the Raisin Region CA.
Analysis of air temperature, precipitation, and stream flow data up to September 30th now provide evidence for moving to a Level 2 Low Water Condition. In particular, a Level 2 is being declared at this time as precipitation receipts for the preceding three-month period at four out of five monitoring stations in the Otonabee Region watershed recorded below normal conditions.
This encompasses the drainage areas of the Otonabee, Indian, and Ouse Rivers within the municipalities of Asphodel-Norwood, Cavan Monaghan, Douro-Dummer, Otonabee South Monaghan, Selwyn, City of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Trent Hills.
“Long duration, low intensity rainfall is needed to naturally replenish streams and groundwater supplies. It’s up to all of us to do what we can to conserve water, using it wisely as we go about our daily activities,” Says Gordon Earle, Water Resources Technologist with Otonabee Conservation. Under a Level 2 Low Water Condition, residents, businesses, industries, and municipalities are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water use by 20%.
Otonabee Conservation encourages everyone to apply water conservation measures in their daily routine. Non-essential water uses should be suspended until natural water supplies recover. For more information about the Otonabee Region Water Response Program, please visit otonabeeconservation.com
For more information contact: Dan Marinigh | CAO \ Secretary-Treasurer
Otonabee Conservation dmarinigh@otonabeeconservation.com | 705-745-3238 x222