Grand River watershed no longer in low water condition

Update: October 22, 2020

Low water conditions removed

Rain over the past two weeks has increased and stabilized stream flows in the Whitemans Creek, McKenzie Creek and Mt. Pleasant Creek subwatersheds.

The low water declaration has been removed from the entire Grand River watershed as flows have returned to more seasonal conditions.

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July 30, 2020

Remainder of Grand River watershed remains at Level 1

Water users in parts of Brant, Oxford, Norfolk, Six Nations, New Credit and Haldimand are being asked to further reduce their water consumption by 20 per cent due to continued dry conditions. The rest of the Grand River watershed remains in a Level 1 condition.

The call for the reduction came from the Grand River Low Water Response Team, which met in a conference call on Wednesday. With the lack of rain and very hot temperatures, stream flows have continued to drop in the Whitemans, McKenzie and Mt. Pleasant creek sub-watersheds, prompting the team to move these areas to Level 2.

Under the Ontario Low Water Response Program, Level 1 results in a request for a voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water consumption by all water users. Level 2 conditions are declared when flows in a river or stream sink to less than 50 per cent of normal, which triggers the request for a voluntary reduction in water use of 20 per cent.

The request for the reduction affects water users in these sub-watersheds:

• McKenzie Creek - Boston Creek: This sub-watershed includes southern Brant County near Scotland and Oakland, the northeastern corner of Norfolk County, much of the Six Nations and New Credit territories and part of Haldimand County south of Caledonia. The two creeks merge near York, where McKenzie Creek enters the Grand River.
• Mount Pleasant Creek: The creek has its headwaters near the village of Mount Pleasant and flows east through Brant County to the Grand River near Newport.
• Whitemans Creek – Horner and Kenny Creeks: These creeks drain western Brant County and eastern Oxford County.

In addition, anglers are being asked to refrain from fishing in Whiteman’s Creek, which is an important trout habitat. Low water levels and warm water temperatures can put the fish population under stress, which can be compounded by fishing.

The GRCA has increased augmentation levels at its large reservoirs in order to meet low flow targets in the municipalities downstream of the major reservoirs. As of July 26, augmentation accounted for approximately 80 per cent of the flow through Kitchener, 40 per cent of the flow through Brantford and 60 per cent of the flow on the Speed River below Guelph. The GRCA’s reservoirs are currently within their normal operating range for this time of year.

The GRCA is operating the reservoirs carefully to meet flow targets downstream, while maintaining storage in order to augment flows throughout the summer. This helps municipalities that get all or some of their drinking water from the Grand River including Waterloo Region, Brantford and Six Nations. It also supports the proper operation of about 30 sewage treatment plants throughout the watershed. As the augmentation season progresses, the conditions of the reservoirs will be closely monitored and reviewed.

Water conservation urged

The most significant action that residents can take to conserve water is to limit outdoor water use in line with local bylaws, even if they have private water sources. The aquifers that feed Whitemans and McKenzie creeks also feed many wells and dug ponds in the area. Water withdrawn from wells and ponds can reduce the amount of water that makes its way into the creek. Therefore, it is important that all water users help to conserve water. For farmers, information on Water Shortages and Conservation is available in the Low Water Response section of the GRCA website, as well as suggested actions that other major water users can take to help conserve water. The GRCA’s report on Drought Contingency Planning for the Grand River watershed, written as part of the Grand River Watershed Water Management Plan, is also available online.

About the Ontario Low Water Response Program and the Grand River Low Water Response Team

The Grand River Low Water Response Team meets regularly during dry weather. The team is made up of representatives of major water users including municipalities, farmers, golf course operators, water bottlers, aggregate businesses, Six Nations and others. It implements the Ontario Low Water Response Program within the Grand River Watershed. The program was introduced in 1999 following several years of dry weather.

More information on the Low Water Response Program is available on the GRCA website.

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Media contacts:

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager of Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca

Cam Linwood, Communications Coordinator
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251  |  Email clinwood@grandriver.ca