Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety - Kawartha Lakes

A Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety has been extended for the shoreline areas of Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon and Pigeon lakes and Lake Scugog.

Message sent on the basis of information received from:

• Kawartha Conservation Monitoring Network
• Trent-Severn Waterway
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Environment and Climate Change Canada

Affected Municipalities:

• City of Kawartha Lakes
• Municipality of Trent Lakes
• Township of Scugog

A Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety has been extended for the shoreline areas of Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon and Pigeon lakes and Lake Scugog.

The water levels in the Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes continue to stay moderately elevated as the runoff from the spring freshet is moving through the Trent-Severn waterway system toward Lake Ontario. The lakes’ water levels are expected to stay at current elevations or fluctuate slightly (2-5 cm) for the next 48 hours.

As reported by the Trent-Severn Waterway officials, the Burnt and Gull rivers are continuing their decline. While significantly reduced, there still is some snowpack at the headwaters of the Trent-Severn Waterway system.

Water levels in Lake Scugog are declining. The declining trend is expected to continue with the current watershed conditions.

Local rivers and streams within the Kawartha Conservation watershed are flowing at normal levels for this time of year.

No flooding problems are anticipated at this time. However, all near shore areas should be considered dangerous. Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay a safe distance from all water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Shorelines and banks are saturated and may be slippery and undercut. Currents in the vicinity of dams are swift and treacherous weak and unstable. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.

Trent-Severn Waterway officials are monitoring water levels and flows throughout the system very closely and make adjustments to the water control structures as required. Additional information from the TSW is available on the Water Management InfoNet web page.

For additional information on the Gull and Burnt rivers conditions please refer to the messages issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or contact the Minden Area office at 705-286-5207.

This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety – Kawartha Lakes will be in effect until Thursday, April 9th, 2020.

Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring water levels and flows and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction of any changes. We are in close communication with partner agencies such as the Trent Severn Waterway, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and neighbouring Conservation Authorities as to this situation.

If you are aware of or have concerns about flooding, please contact Kawartha Conservation at 705.344.0155.

Iryna Shulyarenko                                                    Emma Collyer
Hydrologist                                                               Director, Integrated Watershed Management

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety is a general notice that existing or potential conditions pose a risk to personal safety. Watershed Conditions Statements - Water Safety may be issued when streams are flowing at or near bankfull levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft and/or slippery.