Current Conditions:
- Low Water Condition – Level 1 – October 27
Past Low Water Level Conditions:
- Drought Advisory Ends – August 6, 2021
- Level One Condition – June 02, 2021
- Level One Condition – September 4, 2020
- Level Two Condition – August 7, 2020
- Level One Condition – June 30, 2020
- Level 1 Condition Drought Advisory Ends – October 31, 2019
- Level 1 Condition UPDATE – October 2, 2019
- Level 1 Condition – September 4, 2019
- Level 1 Condition UPDATE – September 14, 2018
- Level 1 Condition – August 2, 2018
- Drought Advisory Ends – February 10, 2017
- Level 2&3 Condition UPDATE – December 15, 2016
- Level 2&3 Condition UPDATE – November 1, 2016
- Level 2&3 Condition UPDATE – September 30, 2016
- Level 2 Condition UPDATE/Level 3 Condition for Stirling-Rawdon & Centre Hastings– September 1, 2016
- Level 2 Condition UPDATE– August 17, 2016
- Level 2 Condition UPDATE– August 5, 2016
- Level 2 Condition – July 4, 2016
- Level 1 Condition UPDATE– June 15, 2016
- Level 1 Condition– June 3, 2016
Low rainfall and hot weather can result in low stream flows and low groundwater levels. This can affect the amount of water available for drinking water, agriculture and industry, as well as the health of the ecosystem. Lower Trent Conservation assists in the coordination and support of local response in the event of a drought. We monitor local water levels and precipitation closely and work with local water users to reduce demand and mitigate effects of water shortages, encouraging voluntary water conservation measures.The program is based on the Ontario Low Water Response Plan.
This Plan allows for Conservation Authorities to establish and coordinate a watershed based Water Response Team. This team consists of municipal, agriculture, industry and business, recreation and government representatives from the Lower Trent watershed region. The team ass
esses current precipitation and streamflow conditions in the watershed and responds in various ways to conserve our water resources.
The response could range from issuing communications that advocate water conservation practices to making recommendations to the Province concerning water allocations.
A watershed is considered to be in drought conditions if it is experiencing:
below normal levels of precipitation over an extended period of time
streamflows that are at a minimum required to sustain aquatic life
low water conditions that are causing socio-economic effects
The response plan outlines three levels of drought:
Condition | Action | |
Level 1 | Potential for water supply problems is identified (minor drought conditions). | Water users will be asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 10%. |
Level 2 | Minor water supply issues are encountered. Potential for major supply problems (moderate drought conditions). | There is the potential for major supply problems. Water users will be asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20%. |
Level 3 | Supply no longer meets demand. Social & economic impacts are experienced (severe drought conditions). | Voluntary measures have not produced the necessary response. Restrictions proposed by the Water Response Team may be put into action. |
