Parks Canada’s water management team continues to actively monitor water levels and flows, and weather forecasts across the Trent-Severn Waterway. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Parks Canada has launched the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Trent-Severn Waterway website at www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet
The InfoNet contains background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Of specific note is the new water levels tool within the InfoNet which provides lake levels data from the last 30 days and graphic representation of levels for the current year. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.
This information is intended as supplemental information only. Stakeholders should continue to refer to their respective Conservation Authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to their area. These are Kawartha Conservation, Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Conservation Authority, Lower Trent Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority or, in all other areas of the Trent and Severn Watersheds, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Weather
Rainfall amounts for May and June have been 25-50% below normal. The 14 day forecast suggests a transition to high temperatures. There is 0 mm of rainfall forecasted for this week and 5 mm forecasted for the following week. Most of the rainfall forecasted is associated with thunderstorms and could be highly variable from one location to another.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
Most lakes are near or below long term average water levels. The Gull River reservoirs are 92% full. Burnt River reservoirs are 91% full. The Central Reservoirs are 94% full. The drawdown will start this week and the rate of drop will be largely dependent on the rainfall received. The most recent two-week water level forecast can be found here https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/rabattement-drawdown-forecast
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
The Kawartha Lakes are below average. The dam in Lindsay, controlling the levels on Lake Scugog, has all logs in.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Rice Lake is at average water levels and the Lower Trent river reaches remain in the standard ranges.
Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are below average. Black River flows and Severn River flows are below average. Flow changes may continue depending on the rainfall received. Lake St. John is at summer set.