Drought conditions worsening

Jeff Green | Jun 22, 2016

As the weather continues its hot and dry pattern, local conservation authorities are sounding the alarm bells.

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority issued a statement this week, on Monday, June 20.

The statement said the Mississippi River is in a minor drought condition, but that the tributaries are now experiencing a moderate to severe drought. Flows in the river are at 25% of the norm and in the tributaries the flows are at 10% of the norm. While lake water levels remain at the summer average, they are starting to drop.

“Water conservation is recommended for everyone within the watershed,” said the statement.

Quinte Region Conservation issued a level 1 low water warning in early June, and has requested that homes and businesses reduce water consumption by 10%.

Both the Cataraqui Region Conservation (CRCA) and Rideau Valley Conservation Authorities (RVCA) issued slightly more optimistic statements just after some heavy rains in early June. On June 7, the CRCA said it was maintaining its minor drought level even though 20-50 mm of rain had fallen on the watershed in the two previous days. On June 9, citing the same rains, the RVCA downgraded its warning to minor. With little rain since then except for heavy but spotty thunderstorms on Monday, the next statements from both the CRCA and RVCA will likely be more dire.

Residents in all districts are advised to check for fire bans before lighting any fires, as bans have been issued in different jurisdictions at different times over the past month (see editorial).