Low Water Alert
Due to lower-than-normal precipitation and streamflow, Low Water Level 1 Condition has been confirmed for the NBMCA jurisdiction, according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA).
“We have experienced drier than normal conditions since the end of July. The lack of rainfall has led to low streamflow across the watershed,” stated Angela Mills, NBMCA Duty Officer. “Water levels and streamflow are generally lowest in August and rise through the autumn, but this year, they have continued to drop.”
The Low Water Conditions are part of a three-tiered advisory system used in Ontario to inform the public of local drought conditions. Level 1 is the least severe and Level 3 is the most severe. Seasonal precipitation and 1-month streamflow are used to assess Low Water Conditions.
Cumulative rainfall measured at the North Bay Airport Gauge for August, September, and October was 62.8 percent of the historical average (1991 to 2020) for this time of year.
Streamflow averages at the three stream gauge stations are also below the historical average for this time of year. Chippewa Creek is at 27 percent, the La Vase River is at 7 percent, and the Wasi River is at 28 percent of the historical average level for the last 31 days.
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.
The general public is advised of these messages through the www.nbmca.ca website with the low water 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 remain in effect until further notice.