LOW WATER LEVEL 1 CONDITION

Message Number:   2024-01

Issued:                  November 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM EDT

From:                    NBMCA Duty Officer, Angela Mills                      

Low Water Level 1 Condition indicates that the received rainfall and/or streamflow in gauged watercourses are below normal and have met the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) criteria for low water. Level 1 is meant to be the first indication of a potential water supply issue.

A Low Water Level 1 Condition has been confirmed for the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority watershed.

Current Conditions:

Cumulative rainfall recorded at the North Bay Airport climate station for August, September, and October was a total of 198.5 mm this year, which is 62.8% of the long-term average (1991-2020) of 316 mm. This meets the precipitation criteria to declare a Level 1 Low Water condition (3-month precipitation < 80% of average). Additionally, the rainfall received in the month of October was 53.5 mm, which is only 49.1% of the long-term average (1991-2020) of 109 mm. August and September received only 56.2% and 81.5% of average monthly rainfall, respectively.

The 31-day average streamflow at the Chippewa Creek gauge is 0.192 m³/s, 68% of its lowest average summer month streamflow of 0.282 m³/s. The 31-day average streamflow at the La Vase River gauge is 0.065 m³/s, 23% of its lowest average summer month streamflow of 0.282 m³/s. The 31-day average streamflow at the Wasi River gauge is 0.694 m³/s, 60.9% of its lowest average summer month streamflow of 1.140 m³/s. All three gauged watercourses meet the streamflow criteria to declare a Level 1 Low Water condition (streamflow < 70% lowest average summer month flow). 

Additionally, the 31-day average streamflow for Chippewa Creek, the La Vase River, and the Wasi River are all below their historical averages for this time of the year. The 31-day average streamflow for these watercourses are 27%, 7%, and 28% of their long-term averages for this time of year, respectively.

Current water levels and streamflow can be viewed by searching Station Names “Ottawa River”, “Mattawa River”, “Chippewa Creek”, “La Vase River”, “Wasi River”, and “Lake Nipissing” at https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/search/real_time_e.html

Historic Low Water Conditions:

There have been few confirmed Low Water Conditions in the North Bay-Mattawa area, with level 1 low water conditions confirmed in June 2021, August 2018, and August 2012.

Risk:

Level 1 Low Water Condition is the first indication of a potential water supply problem, based on the precipitation and streamflow criteria established by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).

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, so we do not anticipate municipal water supply issues at this time. Private water systems were not assessed.

Low water levels in some areas means that submerged hazards may be closer to the surface than in the past. Boaters are encouraged to exercise additional caution in areas with low water. 

Staff at NBMCA will continue to monitor weather and watershed conditions and provide updates if 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 Twitter (@theNBMCA), Instagram (nbmcainfo), and Facebook (theNBMCA).

This message will remain in effect until further notice. Media Release

Low water levels

The Low Water Response Program has three condition levels. The levels are based on trends in streamflow and rainfall.

• Level 1: One-month average streamflow is less than 70 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or three month precipitation has been less than 80 per cent of average. Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10 per cent.

• Level 2: One-month average streamflow is less than 50 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or three month precipitation has been less than 60 per cent of average. Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 per cent.

• Level 3: One-month average streamflow is less than 30 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or three month precipitation has been less than 40 per cent of average. There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water.