FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2016
LAKE AND RIVER LEVELS STILL LOW IN QUINTE REGION
Rainfall has been in short supply over the Quinte region this spring. Quinte Conservation Water Resources Manager Christine McClure says, “We have received less than 70% of average rainfall for the past three months and less than 40% of average rainfall for the month of May. This means that some lake and river levels are visibly lower than they would normally be for this time of year. Flows in the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers continue to be extremely low and we need a significant amount of rain to change that.”
Quinte Conservation declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition for the Quinte watersheds on June 2.
McClure explains, “Some residents near local lakes may have noticed that the levels are lower than normal for June. We have operated our dams according to their operating plans and water levels are at the lower end of the summer range. The only thing that will cause lake levels to increase is significant rainfall.”
With the potential for a dry summer Quinte Conservation says it’s time now to start thinking about conserving water. The environmental organization is asking residents and businesses of the region to reduce water usage by 10 per cent until the supply is replenished. This includes the outside watering of plants and lawns, and washing driveways and sidewalks. Tips for water conservation can be found on our website at www.quinteconservation.ca.
A Level 1 Low Water Condition means the potential for water supply problems has been identified. A Level 1 condition is managed through existing programs of the Conservation Authorities, municipalities and other key provincial agencies. 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.