Low Water Advisory removed for Ausable watershed
Water Response Team removes Level 1 Low Water Advisory for Ausable River watershed
Streamflows have recovered following a period of drought
The Water Response Team (WRT) has removed the Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the Ausable River watershed. As a result, there are currently no Low Water Advisories in effect across the Ausable Bayfield watershed.
Watershed conditions have responded well to the heavy rainfall received at the end of August, according to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
One of the key indicators of improving conditions is the return of baseflows to local watercourses.
Christie Brown, ABCA Water Resources Technologist, said the recent improvement in streamflow is a positive sign for watershed conditions.
“We’ve seen streamflows respond positively to the rainfall we’ve received, providing much-needed recovery following the dry conditions experienced through the summer.”
The Chair of the Water Response Team, Ray Chartrand, thanked both industries and individuals who voluntarily reduced their water usage in response to the recent Low Water Advisory.
“Water conservation remains an important tool during periods of dry conditions. The conservation measures taken earlier this summer helped reduce pressure on local water supplies as watershed conditions declined,” Chartrand said.
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; Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness; and Environment, Conservation and Parks).
ABCA staff will continue to monitor precipitation and streamflow data and keep the public informed of any changes in watershed conditions through the winter months.
Visit the Ontario Surface Water Monitoring Centre 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.