NBMCA monitors the watershed for low water conditions.  Low rainfall and hot weather can result in low streamflow, lake levels and groundwater levels. This can affect the amount of water available for drinking water, agriculture and industry, as well as the health of the ecosystem. The program is directed at major water users, which includes municipalities, agriculture, industry and holders of Permits to Take Water.

NBMCA Low Water Response Program coordinates and supports the response to low water. The program is based on the Ontario Low Water Response Program.  Many municipalities have their own water conservation programs that run parallel to the Low Water Response Program. 

Low Water Response Team

NBMCA Low Water Response Team meets when needed to review stream flows and weather information. If necessary, it will declare a Low Water Condition for all or part of the NBMCA watershed.

The team members represent major water users: municipalities, industry, agriculture, and others. Representatives of provincial ministries sit on the committee as advisory, non-voting members. NBMCA coordinates the work of the team.

Latest conditions

Current water level conditions are posted to the public via the icon on the sidebar.  When a Level 1, 2 or 3 notice is released, municipalities are notified.  The public is notified through posting on the nbmca.ca website and social media.  A media release is issued to local media.

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.