March 5 2024 

Parks Canada is Actively Operating Dams in the Reservoir Area of the TSW

Expect Rising Water Levels and Changing Ice Conditions

March 5, 2024

Levels in most reservoir lakes are near normal right now however, we’re attentive to the combination of a very low snowpack, subnormal winter precipitation and unseasonable temperatures. Recent surveys have shown that the snowpack in the watersheds is less than 60% of normal in northern areas ranging down to near 0% further south. Additionally, total precipitation has been below normal in Haliburton each month since September and in February was just 35% of normal. The TSW recognized this developing situation early and has been adding logs to reservoir dams. By the end of February almost all reservoir dams have had logs added to store water and reduce the risk of very low spring water levels. As a result, most lake levels will slowly rise; flow-through lakes will see lower levels; and river flows will be reduced. As lake levels rise, changes in ice conditions may include breaking up and away from the shore and creating a risk of shoreline ice damage, particularly under high winds. Be attentive to local conditions via local news and/or municipal channels. While logging operations this early is unusual, TSW has been proactive on behalf of the reservoir lakes.  TSW staff continually monitor weather forecasts, lake levels and flows in their daily evaluation of options. Their future actions will depend on melt and rainfall events over the next two months. CEWF works closely with TSW to ensure its membership has the latest information on lake levels; and we will continue to do so. Click the following Water management Update Issued on March 4 from the Trent-Severn Waterway.