Low Water Advisory for Bayfield River watershed
Water Response Team issues Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the Bayfield River watershed
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Water Response Team (WRT) has declared a Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the Bayfield River watershed. The WRT based its decision on watershed conditions that have resulted from a very dry August and September. The Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) Level 1 indicator is 80 per cent of the three-month average, and the indicator station totaled rainfall amounts of 75 per cent of normal.
This period of dry weather is having an impact on streamflows, particularly in the Bayfield River, according to Christie Brown, ABCA Water Resources Technician. “While the three-month totals do not fall too far below the Advisory threshold, it is important to remember that a very wet July factors into this figure. Where we are seeing the impacts of a dry August and September, is in the stream flows, and this will have an impact on seasonal transitions within the aquatic ecosystem.” Monthly flows for September were only 14 per cent of normal.
Water Response Team Chair Marissa Vaughan said everyone has a role to play in water conservation. While water usage demand typically lowers in autumn, she encourages all water users to look for ways they can conserve water and prevent further reduction in water levels and availability of water. “During a Level 1 Low Water Advisory condition, we encourage water users to proactively conserve water by voluntarily reducing their water use by 10 per cent,” she said.
For ways you can reduce water use, please visit the water quantity and water conservation web page at abca.ca
The Water Response Team relies on both precipitation and streamflow indicators to support any decision to move into a Low Water Advisory. Indicators include one-month streamflow and one-month or three-month precipitation.
A Level 1 Low Water Advisory includes a request for a 10 per cent voluntary reduction in water use. A Level 2 Low Water Advisory calls for an additional 10 per cent (total of 20 per cent) voluntary reduction in water use. A Level 3 Low Water Advisory may involve mandatory water use restrictions.
The Water Response Team was formed in 2001 in response to the low water and drought conditions that year and the team has been active ever since.
The WRT includes representatives of major water users (such as aggregate industries; agriculture and vegetable growers; and golf and recreation) and includes local municipal representatives and staff of provincial ministries (such as Natural Resources and Forestry; Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness; and Environment, Conservation and Parks).
ABCA staff will continue to monitor rainfall and streamflow data and keep the public informed of any changes in watershed conditions.
Visit the Ontario Low Water Response web page for further resources on the Ontario Low Water Response program or the website at abca.ca for the dynamic low-water advisory tool which alerts people to low-water advisories in effect in the watershed.