Low Water Levels
Current Conditions
Water Level Explanations
Normal
No low water conditions exist.
Level 1
High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
Level 2
Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 60 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 70 / 50 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
Level 3
There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Hamilton Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water. Precipitation totals are less than 40 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 50 / 30 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
Conservation Tips
- Familiarize yourself with your regional and/or municipal watering by-law and follow the applicable restrictions
- Reduce or eliminate non-essential water use e.g., watering your lawn, cleaning driveways etc.
- Use water storage containers such as rain barrels to water gardens, your lawn etc.
- If allowed (under regional/municipal watering bylaws) water outdoor landscape early in the day when temperatures are cooler
- If withdrawing water from a private well or surface water consider:
- Doing so slowly over a longer period (e.g., reduce pumping rate and time of day)
- Coordinating your withdraw with neighboring water takers
Who to Contact
Customer Service
✆ 905-895-1281
✆ 1-800-465-0437 Toll free
✉ info@LSRCA.on.ca
Related Information
Lake Simcoe Water Levels - Learn how water levels are managed as part of the Trent-Severn Waterway.