A Low Water Advisory for Level 2 Conditions has been issued for the North Bay-Mattawa watershed, according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA). This is an upgrade from the Level 1 conditions that were confirmed in August. Level 2 conditions are meant to indicate a potentially serious water supply problem, based on precipitation and streamflow criteria. <\/p>\n
\u201cStreamflow across the watershed has continued to be low and over the past three months, only 64% of normal rainfall has been recorded with September being particularly dry,\u201d said NBMCA Duty Officer Angela Mills. \u201cLocal stream gauges report flow between 5% and 37% of normal for this time of year. Conditions through October will need to be wetter than normal before low water conditions can end,\u201d she remarked. <\/p>\n
Due to the lack of rainfall and low streamflow across the watershed, all residents are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water consumption further, targeting an overall water usage reduction of 20%. <\/p>\n
The vulnerability of municipal water supply systems within the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) area of jurisdiction was assessed through a water budget stress assessment as part of the Drinking Water Source Protection program. All municipal water intakes within NBMCA jurisdiction were determined to have a low level of risk; however, having low water conditions heading into winter is potentially a concern. Private water systems were not assessed. <\/p>\n
Low water levels mean that submerged hazards may be closer to the surface in some areas than in the past. Boaters are encouraged to exercise additional caution in areas with low water. <\/p>\n