Water Response Team Issues Level 1 Low Water Advisory For The Bayfield River Watershed

by Bob Montgomery

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority Water Response Team has declared a Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the Bayfield River watershed.

That decision was based on watershed conditions brought by a very dry August and September. The Ontario Low Water Response Level 1 indicator is 80% of the three-month average and the indicator station totalled rainfall amounts of only 75% of normal. Ausable Bayfield Water Resources Technician Christie Brown says the level one advisory is more of a cautionary statement and in making that declaration, they're asking people to voluntarily reduce their water use by 10% because the dry conditions we've experienced over the last several weeks are starting to affect stream flows. “While the three-month totals don't fall too far below the advisory threshold, it is important to remember that a very wet July factors into this figure. Where we are seeing the impacts of a dry August and September is in the stream flows and this will have an impact on seasonal transitions within the aquatic ecosystem.” Brown adds monthly flows for September were only 14% of normal.

The Water Response Team relies on both precipitation and stream flow indicators to support any decision to move into a Low Water Advisory. Indicators include one-month stream flow and one-month or three-month precipitation. A Level 1 Low Water Advisory includes a request for a 10% voluntary reduction in water use. A Level 2 Low Water Advisory calls for an additional 10% voluntary reduction in water use. A Level 3 Low Water Advisory may involve mandatory water use restrictions.

For ways you can reduce water use, please visit the water quantity and water conservation page at https://www.abca.ca/conservationstrategy/water/quantity/