HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-12-21, Page 9ABCA moves to Level 1 Low Water Advisory
which will remain in effect through winter
Slight improvements
allow Water
Response Team to
move out of Level 2
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation
Authority (ABCA) Water Response
Team (WRT) has been in place for the
15 years of the Ontario Low Water
Response and Drought Program. As in
other dry years, the team has decided to
keep a Level 1 Low Water Advisory in
place over the winter.
A Level 1 Low Water Advisory asks
for industries and individuals to volun-
tarily reduce water use by 10 per cent.
Industry demand for water tends to
decrease at this time of year but peo-
ple's help in reducing stress on the
resource can help in the springtime
when demand goes backup.
"The Water Response Team is keep-
ing a Level 1 Low Water Advisory in
place so people understand that
groundwater and surface water in the
watershed are stressed," according to
Davin Heinbuck, ABCA Land and
Water Technologist. "Unless we get sig-
nificant rain and snow over the winter,
that stress could carry through the win-
ter and into next spring."
The team's decision to continue a
Level 1 Low Water Advisory is
described as proactive and it should
not pose any onerous restrictions for
water users and watershed residents
through the winter, according to the
ABCA.
Maintaining a Level 1 Low Water
Advisory is to serve as a reminder that
the watershed is stressed and that the
stresses could carry through the winter
and into next spring. If this winter does
not provide a lot of snowpack, the
effects of 2016 could be compounded,
according to the Water Response Team.
The watershed could enter into the
spring of 2017 with a continued impact
to water supplies.
ABCA staff will be in a better posi-
tion, when spring arrives, to assess any
The Hullett Marsh in Clinton. The marsh was very dry this summer with the widespread
lack of precipitation.
potential long-term impacts and assist
stakeholders with managing those
impacts if necessary.
Across the watershed, monthly
stream flow values through the previ-
ous three months (September to
November) have averaged only 10 per
cent of the monthly normal.
"Local streamflow for the autumn
period is close to the lowest levels we
have seen in the 15 years of the low
water program," said Heinbuck.
November rainfall measured at local
stations was at 74 per cent of normal
(Springbank); 77 per cent of normal
(Exeter); and 87 per cent (Varna).
"We have had some rainfall during
the first week of December that helped
to improve ground conditions, but
actual groundwater recharge into the
aquifers has been minimal," said Hein -
buck. "This minimal recharge is taking
place at a time when we would nor-
mally see a large percentage of the
annual recharge."
Heinbuck said, "with the onset of
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winter weather, we expect to see little in
the way of improvements to the
groundwater supply, unless we benefit
from mid -winter thaws."
You may find voluntary water con-
servation tips on the water quantity
page at abca.on.ca at this link: www.
abca.on.ca/page.
php?page=water-quantity.
ABCA staff will continue to monitor
rainfall and stream flow data and keep
the public informed of any changes in
watershed conditions. Visit www.
ontario.ca/lowwater for further
resources on the Ontario drought and
low water response program or ABCA
website at abca.on.ca and view the
dynamic low-water advisory tool which
alerts people to low-water advisories in
effect in the watershed.
HaPPytist
anniversary
Doug and
Marian Andrews
Dec. 15, 2016
With lots of love from Mary Ellen and Bob, Chuck and
Janet, Robert and Debbie and their 8 grandchildren and
21 great-grandchildren.
(Happy 89th birthday Dec. 12th, Marian)
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 • News Record 9
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