Low precipitation triggers potential for water supply problems
Administrator | Apr 17, 2012 | Comments 1
Potential for water supply problems has been identified and Quinte Conservation has declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition for the Quinte watersheds.
“Precipitation from January to the end of March for this year is only about 60-70 per cent of what it usually is, and that is what has triggered this Level 1 Low Water Condition,” said Byron Keene, water resources manager. “Current flow conditions in the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers are approaching the lowest on record for April.”
“The long range forecast suggests that we will get some rain for the weekend, but as long as precipitation is low these low water conditions will persist. It looks like it will be a dry start to the spring and summer season. The water table will be unusually low this year unless we get a few big rainfall events.”
Quinte Conservation will be installing the seasonal weirs at Stoco and Moira Lakes by the end of this week or early next week, which is about one month earlier than usual. People along these lakes may notice changing water levels and should make sure that any boats or docks in the lakes are secure.
A Level 1 Low Water Condition means the potential for water supply problems has been identified. Low water conditions are ranked as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on a prolonged period of low flows or precipitation. A Level 1 is the least severe and Level 3 is the most severe.
“With the potential for a dry summer, it’s time now to start thinking about conserving water,” Keene says.
Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County.
Filed Under: Local News
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