Latest news with #lowwaterlevels
CBC
5 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Farms around Ottawa struggling as drought conditions persist
As the region's dry summer continues, some areas are being asked to conserve water. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority raised the alarm this week about low water levels.
CTV News
13-08-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Low water levels in Quebec rivers spur navigation warnings, watering bans
The waters of the River flow past the city of Montreal, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL — The lack of rain in recent weeks is contributing to low water levels in parts of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, prompting officials to ask boat pilots to be wary of potential navigation hazards. Kevin Lajoie, spokesman for the company that manages the St. Lawrence Seaway, says the corporation has restricted speeds in response to lower water levels on Lake St. Louis, adding that it will "implement additional mitigation measures if deemed necessary." Environment Canada spokesperson Hannah Boonstra says the hot dry weather in Quebec and Ontario is to blame for the drop in water levels in the St. Lawrence. Temperatures exceeded 33 C in Montreal on Sunday and Monday, and the high Tuesday reached 34.6 C, which is the highest for the date since record-keeping began in 1871. "Southern Ontario and southern Quebec have experienced persistent dry hot weather in July and early August .... As a result, local inflows to the lower St. Lawrence River are diminished," Boonstra said. Environment Canada meteorologist Frederick Boulay said the 20 millimetres of rain that fell on Montreal on Wednesday by 4 p.m. was the first significant precipitation the city received since July 17. The only other rainfall since that time was a single millimetre on July 30, he said. Commercial vessels transiting between Quebec and Montreal may also have to reduce their load to ensure enough clearance, Fisheries and Oceans Canada wrote Tuesday. Francis Fortin-Legault of Canadian Hydrographic Service says ship pilots should be subtracting about 10 centimetres from the available depth of water in the St. Lawrence River compared to what's indicated on maps of the waterway. He said that's because water levels between Montreal and Sorel-Tracy to the east have fallen below the chart datum, which is a reference level used to create charts. He said low water levels happen periodically, but said it's "not common" to see it happen in August. "The pilots need to be really careful," he said. Fortin-Legault says current water levels are reduced because of the operations of dams, but also because of a lack of rain in recent weeks, which impacts the smaller rivers that feed into the St. Lawrence. The Canadian Coast Guard issued a notice on Aug. 6, warning that buoys between Montreal and Trois-Rivières may be off position and unreliable due to levels that have fallen below the norms. On Tuesday, the Coast Guard reported that a 180-metre bulk carrier had run aground in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal. A spokesperson said the grounding occurred because of an engine failure and not water levels, although low levels could potentially impact a refloating plan. Montreal officials have also imposed restrictions on lawn watering and other water use in some boroughs west of downtown because of low levels in the Rivière des Prairies caused by "extreme heat and dry conditions." The ban includes using sprinklers or automatic watering systems, watering lawns, washing cars, and filling existing swimming pools. The city said the low levels create poor water quality and increase strain on water-treatment infrastructure, though it says drinking-water quality hasn't been affected. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025. Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press
BBC News
09-08-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Boaters stuck at Foxton Locks due to low water levels
Boaters stuck at Foxton Locks due to low water levels fear it could be months before the site Canal and River Trust confirmed that the Grade II-listed site, near Market Harborough, was temporarily closed on 29 July and some boats are now stuck in the bottom trust said the decision to temporarily shut the site, which lies within the 34-mile closed stretch of the Grand Union Canal, "had not been taken lightly".Alan Bath and his partner, Christina, are among those caught in the close and said they have noticed a visible drop in water levels. "There's no more water coming into the system," said Mr Bath."We are short of food and cans of beer but we are making the best of it." The Canal and River Trust said the network was feeling the effects of one of the "driest springs on record".Visitors are still welcome at Foxton Locks with businesses open and a summer programme of events still going Basington, 56, who works at the lock's local cafe, said he was already noticing a difference in footfall."Customers come to Foxton Locks to see the boats moving up and down and predominantly August is one of our busiest times of the year," said Mr Basington."We have noticed visitor levels have definitely fallen."Nearby at Union Wharf, Charlie Yole hires out narrowboats. Due to the closure, Mr Yole said he has had to move boats to moorings at the top of Foxton Locks at an extra cost so holidaymakers have a longer stretch of canal to enjoy."Generally the marina would be very busy this time of year," said Mr Yole."Boaters would come down and pay to use the mooring here and the facilities, so unfortunately that means there is a lack of income to us and the local area." The closure is place from Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38 with a review of the ongoing situation expected on 29 August, according to the the locks will allow adequate water levels to be maintained to keep boats afloat, protect the wildlife in the canal and "safeguard the canal infrastructure", the charity said."With insufficient rainfall and reservoir holdings dwindling, we've had to temporarily close Foxton Locks to boats," a spokesperson said."Despite a few heavy downpours recently, we need sustained rain to top up the reservoirs that feed the canals. But, as soon as water levels allow, we'll get them back open."They said they were grateful for boaters' support and patience. "In the meantime, we're making the best of the situation to bring forward planned repairs at Foxton which will make the locks more resilient and minimise disruption to boaters later in the year," the spokesperson added.
CBC
11-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Water level drop prompts marina closure at popular central Alberta lake
Social Sharing Summer looks different this year for Pelican Point, a lakeside community located on Buffalo Lake. Typically bustling during the warmer months, the hamlet is now seeing a shift in activity as low lake levels have disrupted boating plans at the popular central Alberta destination. "I've lived here all my life, I've never seen it this low," said longtime resident Neil Kostenuk. The lake previously had a water stabilizing system to help manage water levels, but it was shut down years ago due to concerns over the invasive Prussian carp. Now, some who live in the area want the pumping to resume to help restore water levels. The sharp drop in water levels forced the closure and dismantling of the community marina for the season. The low water levels mean Pelican Point, which offers a destination for summer tourists, is seeing a big decrease in visitor traffic, as are neighbouring communities like Bashaw. Erin Elder, president of the Pelican Point Community Association, said the community is split on what the best solution is. "Some people feel that those pumps should be turned back on and that we should maintain our lake level," Elder said. "Some people feel like we just really need to, at this time, focus on our access to the lake." Pumping projects About 90 kilometres west, Gull Lake has been grappling with similar water level concerns. Pumping from the Blindman River into Gull Lake was suspended in 2018, due to the risk of introducing Prussian carp into the ecosystem. But plans are now underway to install a filtration system at the lake's pumphouse to prevent invasive species from entering the lake. The province approved the move after the government found overwhelming support for the project in a community survey. Norval Horner, president of the Gull Lake Watershed Society and a professional engineer involved in the research for the filtration system said he's glad the province stepped in. "At this point, the provincial government has taken the lead on it and they're going to pay for the installation of the pressurized filtration and the restarting of stabilization," something he said he's "grateful for." Construction of the filtration system on Gull Lake has begun with the goal of resuming pumping by spring 2026. "I believe their plan is to move to Buffalo Lake and install the system there as well," he said. "They also have a stabilization system, which is also shut down. And so they're hopeful to get the same pressurized filtration installed on their stabilization system." CBC reached out to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, and Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas to ask about whether a similar plan could happen at Buffalo Lake, but the province has not yet responded. Ron Metro, director of the Pelican Point Community Association, said the filtration system would work but it's unclear what the timeline is for the project. "We understand that same process could be used for Buffalo Lake, the only problem we have is the red tape we're seeing in order to get it approved," said Ron Metro, the director of Pelican Point Community Association. Elder said she has had encouraging conversations with local MLA Jackie Lovely about the issues. A temporary fix? While a long-term pumping solution remains in the works, some residents are asking for more immediate fixes to be able to use the lake, starting with a new or extended boat launch. "Either we pump the lake, or we gain access somehow through a boat launch," Metro said. Kostenuk said community members have been in talks with government officials to install a temporary launch and it's looking "real promising." Elder said another option could be increasing lake access through new launch points. Camrose County had a special council meeting on Thursday to discuss whether a temporary boat launch should be constructed. Administration told council that the county should not pursue the launch, due to potential damage of the shoreline and the levels being low enough to cause concern for boaters. But following concerns shared by community members, councillors passed a motion to further investigate the option. In the meantime, the beach area will be fenced off to restrict unauthorized vehicle access, and additional signs and fencing are expected to be installed next week. A climate-driven problem According to experts, Buffalo Lake's issues are part of a wider trend playing out across Alberta. David Barrett, a research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Calgary, said climate change is significantly affecting lake water levels — particularly through rising temperatures that increase evaporation rates. "This is a pattern that we've seen over the last five to 10 years. We've seen again a draw-down or a lowering of that of that water level pretty broadly across the province." Lower water levels also come with additional risks, including warmer temperatures, reduced oxygen, and the potential for harmful algal blooms. Back at Pelican Point, the community is hoping to find some solution, whether it be a temporary boat launch or a return to pumping.
