Residents across several municipalities, including Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, and others, are being urged to stay cautious around waterways as the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) gears up for the navigational season.
Following recent heavy rainfall, Otonabee Conservation has issued a watershed conditions statement emphasizing the dangers of higher-than-normal water flows and levels. Although no flooding is expected, caution is advised.
The increased rainfall over the past month has affected regions both within and north of Otonabee Conservation’s jurisdiction, including the Haliburton/Reservoir Lakes Region. As a result, water levels and flows on the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, and Trent River are on the rise.
To manage the situation, Parks Canada is actively controlling water levels and flows through reservoirs, rivers, and streams. This management effort is expected to continue for the next two weeks.
Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution around all bodies of water due to slippery stream banks and fast, turbulent currents. Parents are especially reminded to inform children of the hazards.
Online resources, including the Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet, Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data, and Otonabee Conservation Precipitation and Water Level Data, are available for monitoring water conditions.
The water safety advisory is effective immediately and will remain in place until Friday, May 17th, or until further notice.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
