Lakehead Region Conservation Authority

No Advisory

CURRENT WATER LEVEL STATUS

Ontario Low Water Response is intended to ensure provincial preparedness, to assist in coordination and to support local response in the event of a drought.

Fresh water is a natural resource critical to the economic and environmental well being of Northwestern Ontario. Water supports almost all aspects of our lives including health, recreation and industrial development.

Historically, periods of dry weather and low water levels or drought were relatively uncommon in this area occurring once every 10 - 15 years. However recent studies on changing weather patterns indicate that low water levels may become more common as our demand for water steadily increases.

This web page is intended to provide information on the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority's Low Water Response Plan.

Local conditions are determined by analyzing data collected through the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority's Streamflow Gauge Network and manual precipitation gauges.

The LRCA's Streamflow Gauge Network consists of gauges on the Slate, Neebing, McIntyre, Current, Whitefish and North Current Rivers as well as McVicar and Corbett Creek.

Other gauges are operated by Environment Canada, Ontario Power Generation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

The gauges provide data on rainfall and water levels.

Find out how you can conserve water with our handy list of Conservation Tips

For more information visit:

www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/water/p774.html
www.ene.gov.on.ca/cons/3780-e.pdf
www.ec.gc.ca/WATER/en/manage/effic/e_weff.htm
www.ene.gov.on.ca/programs/5303e.pdf

Low Water Level Indicators

Level	Condition	Action
LEVEL I	Monthly precipitation is below 80% of the average. In the spring monthly waterflow in streams is less than 100% of the lowest average summer month flow. At other times the monthly flow is less than 70% of the lowest average summer month flow. The potential for water supply problems is identified.	Water users will be asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 10%.
LEVEL II	Monthly precipitation is 40% - 60% of the average. In the spring the monthly flow in streams is less than 70% of the lowest average summer month flow. At other times the monthly flow is less than 50% of the lowest average summer month flow. Minor water supply issues are encountered. There is the potential for major supply problems.	Water users will be asked to voluntarily reduce their water use by 20% or greater.
LEVEL III	Monthly precipitation is less than 40% of the average. In the spring the monthly flow in streams is less than 50% of the lowest average summer month flow. At other times the monthly flow is less than 30% of the lowest average summer month flow. Supply no longer meets demand. Social and economic impacts are experienced.	Voluntary measures have not produced the necessary response. Restrictions proposed by the Water Response Team and approved by the Government of Ontario will be put into action.

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

* Repair all leaking water fixtures such as toilets and taps

* Don't rinse food or dishes under the tap - use water in a bowl or the sink instead

* Keep a jug of water in the fridge rather than running the tap for cold water

* Use water and energy saving cycle on dishwasher

* Use the dishwasher only when full

* Use Low Flow toilets and shower heads

* Don't run the water while brushing teeth

* Take a shower rather than a bath

* Shower for 5-minutes instead of 10 - it saves about 40-litres of water

* Wash only full loads of laundry

* Don't water your lawn or garden during Low Water conditions

* Don't wash your car

* Water lawn or garden once a week in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation

* Leave grass clippings on the lawn to retain moisture

* Plant drought resistant trees, plants and grasses

Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
P.O. Box 10427; 130 Conservation Rd.
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6T8 (Canada)
Telephone:(807) 344-5857 Fax:(807) 345-9156