Low Water Level Status:
Flood Status:

Flood Notices:

Green: NORMAL: Conditions are within NORMAL limits. No flooding is expected.

Yellow: HIGH WATER WATERSHED CONDITIONS BULLETIN: unsafe lake, river and channel conditions exist.

Orange: FLOOD ADVISORY: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses.

Red: FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses.

Low Water Conditions:
Green: Conditions are normal
Yellow: Level I
Level I is the first condition of a potential water supply problem.
Orange: Level II
Level II indicates a potentially serious water supply problem.
Red: Level III
Level III indicates the water supply has already failed, or will fail, to meet the water demands.

More information about Low Water Conditions.

Status indicator

	NORMAL generally indicates low flow to base flow conditions. It should be noted that during Normal flow conditions, the inherent risk to personal safety associated with flowing water still exists.
	Level 1 Flows are below 70 percent of their normal summer low flow. Water users are asked to reduce their consumption by 10 per cent.
	Level 2 Flows are below 50 percent of their normal summer low flow. Water users are asked to reduce their consumption by 20 per cent.
	Level 3 Flows are below 30 percent of their normal summer low flow and there is 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.

Status indicator

	NORMAL generally indicates low flow to base flow conditions. It should be noted that during Normal flow conditions, the inherent risk to personal safety associated with flowing water still exists.
	HIGH WATER SAFETY BULLETIN is a general notice that indicates conditions exist that could pose a risk to personal safety. High Water Safety Bulletins may be posted when streams are flowing at or near bankfull levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft and/or slippery.
	FLOOD ADVISORY is a notice of potential for flooding to occur in the near future and that measures should be taken to prepare for a possible emergency. Flood Advisories may be updated depending upon the weather and runoff conditions, and will be followed by a notice of cancellation once the potential for flooding has passed.
	FLOOD WARNING is a notice that flooding is imminent or occurring and that action is required by municipalities and emergency services. Flood Warnings may be updated depending upon weather and runoff conditions, and will be followed by a noticed of cancellation once the potential for flooding has passed.

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Low Water Conditions

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Low Water Response Program

In response to drought conditions experienced in recent years, the Ontario provincial government developed the Ontario Low Water Response Program. Its goal is to ensure coordination and preparedness between the province and local governments in response to drought events.

Drought conditions are classified into three levels, using precipitation and streamflow as indicators. Each level indicates a greater potential for water supply problems and therefore dictates a greater water management response from the provincial and local governments.

Level I is the first condition of a potential water supply problem.

Level II indicates a potentially serious water supply problem.

Level III indicates the water supply has already failed, or will fail, to meet the water demands.

Upon the issuance of a low water response, water response teams (WRT) are assembled, consisting of local water users and local and provincial water managers. The teams will coordinate local activities and assess watershed conditions, with a focus on communication and advocating water conservation.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority, in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources, will issue alerts and advice in the event a Low Water Response has been initiated.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority's watershed is NOT currently in a low water condition.

Ontario Low Water Response Plan

Historically, periods of dry weather and low water levels or drought have been relatively uncommon in Ontario (about every 10-15 years). However, recent studies on changing weather patterns indicate low water levels may become more common, potentially compounded by the province's steadily increasing demands for water.

During the spring and summer of 1999, southwestern and eastern Ontario experienced an extended period of low rainfall and high temperatures. These weather conditions resulted in some of the lowest surface water levels and driest soils recorded for several decades. In order to ensure the province is prepared for low water conditions in the future, a response plan was developed. This plan, The Ontario Low Water Response, is intended to help co-ordinate and support local response in the event of a drought.

This information is from the Ministry of Natural Resources' website. Please visit their site for more information about low water conditions.

Water Conservation Links:

City of Hamilton - Water Conservation

Water Conservation Tips from the Ministry of the Environment

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