(North Bay September 3, 2025). A Low Water Advisory for Level 1 Conditions has been issued for the North Bay-Mattawa watershed, according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA). This is the first indication for a potential water supply issue, based on precipitation and streamflow criteria.
"Streamflow across the watershed is low and there has been limited precipitation over the past three months, especially through July and August." said NBMCA Duty Officer Angela Mills. “Local stream gauges are reporting flow between 10% and 60% of normal for the month of August and conditions through September will need to be wetter than normal before low water conditions could end” She added.
Due to the lack of rainfall and low water levels across the watershed, all residents are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water consumption, targeting an overall water usage reduction of 10%.
The vulnerability of municipal water supply systems within the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) area of jurisdiction was assessed through a water budget stress assessment as part of the Drinking Water Source Protection program. All municipal water intakes within NBMCA jurisdiction were determined to have a low level of risk. Municipal water supply issues are not anticipated at this time. Private water systems were not assessed.
Low water levels mean that submerged hazards may be closer to the surface in some areas than in the past. Boaters are encouraged to exercise additional caution in areas with low water.
As part of the NBMCA Low Water Response Program, staff at NBMCA will continue to monitor weather and watershed conditions and provide updates as conditions change.
The general public is advised of these messages through the www.nbmca.ca website with the Low Water status icon and a link to information about current conditions. NBMCA also circulates these messages to local media and social media, posting on X (@theNBMCA), Facebook (@theNBMCA) and Instagram (nbmcainfo).
This message will be in effect until further notice
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CONTACT:
Angela Mills, Flood Duty Officer, cell: (705) 497-4668
Paula Loranger, Community Relations Coordinator cell: (705) 494-5115
Note: The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority is responsible for local Low Water programs (Low Water Bulletins | NBMCA) for residents who live within their jurisdiction, including those in North Bay and Callander to Mattawa. Where a Conservation Authority has not been established, the MNR District Office is responsible for local Low Water Response programs, including along the Ottawa River. https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/webapps/swmc/low-water-response/