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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2015-10-14, Page 19Level 1 low water advisory issued for entire ABCA watershed Rainfall totals for the months of July through September have been below normal, across most of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed, resulting in extremely dry condi- tions and stressed flows in local streams and rivers. This has prompted the ABCA Water Response Team (WRT) to issue a Level 1 LowWaterAdvisory. In addition to low streamflow, the WRT also relies on the three- month precipitation indicator for low-water advisories. All of the indi- cator stations in the watershed have fallen below the low-water thresh- old of 80 per cent of the normal three-month precipitation. Throughout September, no appre- ciable rainfall occurred with the exception of the Labour Day long weekend. The rain that did fall was quickly absorbed by vegetation on the ground and provided no sus- tained increase in stream flows. Streamflow, compared to the Level 1 indicator of 70 per cent of the lowest average summer monthly flow, is at approximately 50-60 per cent and within the Level 1 indicator. Compared to the Sep- tember monthly normal, stream - flow for indicator stations at Spring - bank, Exeter, and Varna, actually range from 20 to 30 per cent of nor- mal. While the summer has been V very dry when compared to the long-term average, the lack of base - flow available to streams and rivers can be attributed to the weather pattern and ground conditions through most of 2015. "Spring is a very important time for groundwa- ter recharge," according to Davin Heinbuck, ABCA Lands and Water Technologist. "A relatively low amount of recharge into the aqui- fers occurred this spring due to a combination of a deep frost, and a loss of snow pack at the ground sur- face," he said. The issue of ground- water recharge was further affected byavery dryApril and May. "Above - seasonal temperatures and very lit- tle rainfall through the last half of the summer has further stressed local watercourses," Heinbuck said. The decision to declare a Level 1 Low Water Advisory at this time of reduced water demand is a proactive one based on the cur- rent conditions. If dry conditions continue through the fall and into winter, the WRT will be in a better position to deal with any water shortages, should that be a con- cern in 2016. Water Response Team Chair Mike Tam said that while water usage declines significantly in the autumn, the WRT recognizes the current situation and the potential impacts of a drier than normal fall and winter. "We are encouraging water users to voluntarily reduce any water use by 10 per cent because we are in a Level 1 Low Water Advisory condition," he said. If dry conditions persist through autumn it may be necessary to for the WRT to consider keeping a Low Water Advisory in effect through the winter in preparation for any potential long-term water shortage. The Water Response Team was formed in 2001 in response to the low-water conditions that year and the team has been active ever since. The WRT includes representatives of major water users (such as aggre- gate industries, agriculture and veg- etable growers, and golf and recrea- tion) and includes local municipal representatives and staff of provin- cial ministries (such as Natural Resources and Forestry; Agricul- ture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change). ABCA staff will continue to monitor rainfall and streamflow data and keep the pub- lic informed of any changes in watershed conditions. Visit www. ontario.ca/lowwater for further resources on the Ontario low water response program orABCAwebsite at abca.on.ca and view the dynamic low-water advisory tool which alerts people to low-water adviso- ries in effect in the watershed. OPEN HOUSE OCT. 17TH & 18TH 11 AM - 4 PM 74863 DR. GEORGE SMITH AVENUE Lakefront living at its best! Enjoy spectacular sunsets from this beautiful lakefront property located 5 minutes south of Bayfield. A screened porch and deck will allow you entertain outdoors along Ontario's west coast. A gentle treed privately owned trail/staircase leads to an expansive sandy beach. Designed with retiree's in mind the main floor includes hardwood flooring, a master suite, laundry, custom kitchen, open concept with living room, kitchen, dining, screened porch and deck all interconnected with great views of Lake Huron. Finished basement will included two guest rooms and a Targe rec room. Property also includes a Bunkie part way down the lake bank. 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