Today Cataraqui Conservation and the Low Water Response Team has downgraded the Level 3 Low Water Condition to a Level 2 Low Water Condition for the area extending from Napanee to Brockville and north to Newboro. The previous Level 3 Low Water Condition was announced in early September following a very dry July and August.
“The month of October brought with it a normal amount of rainfall across the region, just under 100 mm, which has started to alleviate some of the dry conditions we have been experiencing. Stream flows in some creeks have recovered to within their normal range for this time of year, while others remain lower than normal but are showing signs of a gradual recovery.” Explained Cataraqui Conservation’s Watershed Conservation Technician, Nick Sterling.
“Precipitation received during the first half of November and a normal forecast for the remainder of the month suggests that conditions should continue to improve in the Cataraqui Region.”
Low water conditions are based upon precipitation and stream flow indicators, as determined by Cataraqui Conservation and the Cataraqui Region Low Water Response Team as part of the province-wide Ontario Low Water Response Program.
A Level 2 Low Water Condition is the second of three levels and suggests a potentially serious water supply problem. A Level 1 ‘Minor’ is the first indication of a potential water supply problem, and a Level 3 ‘Severe’ indicates a failure of the water supply to meet demand.
Residents on groundwater systems or that draw from inland lakes or streams are asked to voluntarily conserve water by following water conservation practices:
Recreational boaters are encouraged to exercise extra caution when out on area lakes as low water conditions may expose shoals or other obstructions not visible during normal water level conditions.
If a water well supply becomes low or dry, well owners are encouraged to review the Ontario Government’s “Managing your well in times of drought” publication (https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage), and contact a local licensed water well contractor (https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-licenced-well-contractors) to assess the well and provide recommended solutions.
Municipalities may invoke water use bylaws and residents should find out what bylaws are in effect in their municipalities regarding water use as well as outdoor fires.
To help Cataraqui Conservation staff track the spread and seriousness of low water impacts on the region, we are asking for help from the public in collecting this information. If residents have a low water concern, please let us know by filling in this quick online form:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7955b90fe7814d0bbef6f9b870ec6da9
Cataraqui Conservation will continue to monitor water levels and will provide updates as conditions change.