Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is currently dealing with unusually high water levels in lakes Simcoe and Couchiching due to recent warm weather conditions. Parks Canada opened the discharge valves at Lock 42 to release some water through the Severn and into Georgian Bay. This action, however, has created potential hazards for those in the area, including the possibility of thin ice, fast-moving ice, and fast-moving water.
Parks Canada will reopen locks on the Trent-Severn Waterway on Friday which were recently closed due to high water flows and water levels. The reopening will mean daytime navigation will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 24. Since June 1, the Trent-Severn’s watersheds received significant amounts of precipitation, prompting Parks Canada to close some lock stations in the interest of public safety.
A portion of the Trent-Severn Waterway will be closed starting Friday due to high water levels and flows. Lock 19 - Scotts Mills and Locks 22 through 27, including Lakefield, will be closed until further notice. Parks Canada says the Trent Severn's watersheds have received "significant amounts of precipitation, the equivalent of 100 to 200 per cent above the normal amount." It advises residents and visitors to use "extreme caution" around and on the water.
To address very high-water levels and flows caused by recent high amounts of rain, Parks Canada says it will be moving water on the Trent River from Hastings to Trenton. This will happen after navigation hours starting Friday, Sept. 24. “This will result in unsafe boating conditions,” said a Parks Canada spokesperson.
