Coalition for Equitable Water Flow

Support for the TSW

Parks Canada is facing significant budget cuts. What will be the fate of water management in the Trent Watershed?

Be informed, and be heard:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Request_for_Support_June2012.pdf

TSW Water Levels - Status Update (May28/2012)

Based on information provided by the TSW and the data on their water levels website:

• Despite an early spring thaw and below average rainfall in April, the TSW was able to get the reservoir lakes up to 95% of storage capacity as of the end of May
• One log was removed from each of a few key dams in mid-May to maintain minimum flow rates in certain sensitive river channels;
• There is a general lack of excess water capacity throughout the Kawartha lakes due to the lack of rain;
• In order to conserve water, the flow rates on the key southern rivers, such as the Otonabee, have been reduced to the safe minimum;
• Without significant rainfall, an early start to the draw-down of the reservoir lakes is to be expected - maybe as soon as the first week of June.

NOTE: Environment Canada is currently predicting 'below normal' precipitation for our region for May/June/July:

 http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/saisons/image_e.html?img=sfe1p_s

 

TSW Budget Cuts

There has been a lot of press recently regarding the significant Federal Government budget cuts, including how they will impact Parks Canada, and the TSW specifically. Here is the letter CEWF just received from TSW updating our situation:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Stakeholders_Letter_May_3_2012.pdf

We shall press on to understand the proposed specific implications to water management at our next meeting with TSW Management. Stay tuned.

TSW Water Levels - Status Update

 

Based on information received from TSW, CEWF understands that as of April 24, 2012:

• TSW is making every effort to fill the reservoir lakes, which are generally not far off being full.

• This has resulted in low flow rates throughout the system, especially on the Gull, negatively impacting the flow-through lakes.

• Precipitation for April to date has been a mere 3 mm - the average is closer to 60. Rain is needed during the next 4 weeks if the reservoirs are to be filled.

• TSW must sustain adequate flow for fisheries e.g. Walleye spawning below Drag Lake

• A bigger concern is the Canal Lakes - while close to the navigational level, they are low for this time of year, and will drop further if there is no rain. There will be pressure to start drawing down the reservoirs early if there is no rain.

Stay tuned for further updates as they become available, including the projected impacts of the Federal budget cuts to Parks Canada.

 

Our Views in the News

A good article in The Echo laying out the CEWF positions:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Haliburton_Echo_Defining_Priorities_on_the_TSW.pdf

How is my Lake Water Level...?

What's my water level? - we all have that important question about our lakes throughout the season. Happily the TSW is once again providing timely data on the actual measured lake water levels via their web site:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/visit/ne-wl/trent_e.asp

But then there is the very common follow-up statement - "I've never seen it like this in all my years!". True or false? Well to help more accurately quantify that, the TSW has agreed to provide us with its historical data for our lakes, measured since 1988. We have taken this data, and for each member lake created an information page showing the maximum, minimum and average lake levels by calendar date, as well as an explanation of how to read each chart. Look up your lake's historical data, and compare to its current status to better assess your situation:

 http://cewf.typepad.com/Average_Water_Levels.pdf

Yes folks - we are experiencing some crazy weather again this year, and managing the water levels will be a major challenge. Stay informed, be prepared - summer is just around the corner, or is it here already...!?

 

(Note: if there is any CEWF member Lake Association whose information is missing, or if there are any questions on the information provided, please contact us at cewfchair@yahoo.ca).

 

It's Canada Water Week!

Yes, spring has arrived in dramatic fashion this year, and this being Canada Water Week makes it a particularly good time to reflect on the importance that water plays in our lives:

http://canadawaterweek.com/

And capturing how this plays out in Haliburton, a related article from The Echo:

http://cewf.typepad.com/Haliburton_Echo_Water_Week_2012.pdf

CEWF Position Statement

The 2012 season will soon be getting underway, and with that the annual TSW set of activities and challenges. To keep us all working from the same play book, we have recorded the positions CEWF has adopted on the key issues:

http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF_2012_Position_Paper.pdf

In these positions, at our core we believe in managing the water at the 'watershed level'. To understand more fully what this entails, here is an information background paper:

 http://cewf.typepad.com/Integrated_Water_Management_at_the_Watershed_Level.pdf

Please read these to be informed. Share the information with all your friends and neighbours who are impacted by the TSW system. Note the section on 'what can I do?'. And send your questions or comments to cewfchair@yahoo.ca.

 

2011 Year-End Update

The cottage and boating season may be over, but CEWF continues to be busy. Here is the 2011 year-end update:

http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF_2011_Year_End_Review.pdf

 

Happy Holidays to all. Come on 2012!

 

CEWF 2011 AGM - Followup

This year's CEWF Annual General Meeting was held Sep 17, 2011 at the Haliburton Fish Hatchery. For further information, see the following:

 Meeting summary and feedback:  http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF2011GM_Summary.pdf

 Presentation material:    http://cewf.typepad.com/CEWF2011GM_Presentation.pdf

 Haliburton Echo article:    http://cewf.typepad.com/September_20_2011_Echo.pdf

 

A succssful meeting. Now enjoy your Thanksgiving amidst our beautiful Reservoir Lakes.