With precipitation below normal over the past three months, Level 1 Low Water (minor drought) conditions
are now being experienced across the Lower Trent Conservation watershed region, an area stretching from
Grafton to Quinte West, and from Lake Ontario to Rice Lake to south of Madoc.
As part of the declaration of a Level 1 Low Water Condition, local municipalities, residents and businesses are
expected to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent. Residents can help conserve water by using
rain barrels to capture rain for watering lawns and gardens, limiting vehicle washing, etc. Lower Trent
Conservation staff urge rural residents to be wary of their water use. Water is a precious resource – continued
wise use of water is encouraged now and always.
The March to May 3-month rainfall totals recorded by Environment Canada at Trenton was 112 millimetres,
which is 51 percent of normal precipitation for this time of year (219 mm). A 3-month precipitation below 80
percent is the trigger for Level 1 Low Water. Monthly streamflows in our local creeks were 40% to 70% of
typical flows for the month of May but did not drop below the Lowest Summer Month Average flows, which is
another trigger for Level 1 Low Water. Early June streamflows indicate that the local creeks are approaching
this low flow trigger as well.
Droughts can cause many severe impacts on the environment and communities including:
• Water shortages for human consumption, industrial, business and agriculture use
• Decline of water quality
• Increase in wildfires
• Increases in insect infestations and plant disease
Following lower than average precipitation and low water levels in 1998, the Ontario government developed
the Ontario Low Water Response program to ensure the province was prepared for future low water
conditions. The response plan was developed to help coordinate and support local response in the event of a
drought. There are three levels of Low Water Conditions with Level 1 being the least severe and Level 3 being
the most severe.
Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and report new information as it becomes
available. To learn more about Ontario’s Low Water Response program visit our website at www.LTC.on.ca.
Residents can report any low water observations using the Low Water Reporting Form on our website.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
