Low Water Advisory Ended: Watershed Conditions Return to Normal

With several precipitation events so far this winter, the watersheds in the Ganaraska Region have recovered to normal conditions.

In December, the region received 75mm or 106% of normal rainfall. This has brought stream flows up and is likely resulting in some groundwater recharge where there is little ground frost. The 3-month and 18-month total rainfall indicators are currently at 88% and 82% of normal respectively. When all three rainfall indicators are above 80%, watersheds are considered to be in the normal range. In addition, stream flow indicators are well above normal for this time of year as a result of the winter rain and snowmelt runoff.

Drought conditions occurred from June to November last year. This caused widespread hardships for residents whose wells went dry, farmers who suffered crop losses and anyone whose livelihood depends on consistent water supplies. The natural environment suffered with dry wetlands and low stream flows. Extended periods with no rainfall occurred while temperatures soared in the middle of the summer, which heightened the demand for water to be pumped and transported to where it was needed. Many watershed residents and businesses reduced their water consumption according to the conditions, which helped to conserve our most important natural resource.

Last year, shallow monitoring wells in the GRCA watersheds showed a deep decline in water levels but have started recovering and should continue this trend through the spring. If normal or above normal rainfall occurs this year, there should be no reason to anticipate drought conditions returning.

The Conservation Authority will continue to monitor local conditions and provide updates as conditions warrant. For further information, please contact the following GRCA staff at 905-885-8173 during regular business hours.