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water levels

Low-to-moderate flood risk for most Manitoba waterways this spring

Low-to-moderate flood risk for most Manitoba waterways this spring

Spring may feel far off, but the government of Manitoba is making plans to address any potential seasonal flooding that could occur after a difficult flood season last year. The province's Hydrologic Forecast Centre released its first flood outlook for the season on Tuesday and is predicting moderate flows along the Assiniboine and Red rivers, and in the Interlake region along the Fisher and Icelandic rivers.

Great Lakes water levels are in flux. New research looks at how and if that could cause local earthquakes

Great Lakes water levels are in flux. New research looks at how and if that could cause local earthquakes

Earlier this month, parts of southern Ontario felt an earthquake that struck close to the nearby city of Buffalo, N.Y.  "I woke up to it … I felt what I guess you would consider a small jolt and continuous shaking … about 15 to 20 seconds," St. Catharines, Ont., resident Stephen Murdoch told CBC Hamilton the morning of Feb. 6. Earthquakes Canada monitored the magnitude 4.3 quake and said there were no reports of damage. In another part of the world the same day, an unrelated, devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. The death toll has surpassed 40,000.

Parks Canada takes action to address elevated water levels on Trent-Severn Waterway

Parks Canada takes action to address elevated water levels on Trent-Severn Waterway

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.

Climate change causing more frequent warm winter temperatures: extreme weather expert

Climate change causing more frequent warm winter temperatures: extreme weather expert

Climate change is causing mild winter temperatures to become more frequent across the country, one extreme weather expert says. Parts of southern Ontario have seen unseasonably warm temperatures and rainfall warnings in recent days, with some local conservation authorities warning the public to stay away from waterways as water levels are expected to rise due to rain and melting snow.

Rain in forecast means rising water levels in Toronto, agency urges caution

Rain in forecast means rising water levels in Toronto, agency urges caution

Toronto residents are being warned to be careful around rivers, streams and shorelines due in part to rain this week that could cause water levels to rise. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is urging the public to be cautious around all bodies of water because of changing water levels in rivers in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto is expected to see rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 millimetres on Wednesday. That amount is on top of the drizzle that fell on Tuesday.

Water returning to popular Conception Bay South pond after it drained dry following water and sewer work

Water returning to popular Conception Bay South pond after it drained dry following water and sewer work

Some Conception Bay South residents were hopping mad in the fall after a popular neighbourhood pond on Frog Pond Road in Topsail — home to ice skating and hockey in the winter, and exploring in the summer — was left dry after water and sewer work was completed. But water has found its way back to Frog Pond, although the mild fall and winter has not yet frozen the water enough to make the ice safe for skating. The issue was discussed at the Dec. 6 Conception Bay South council meeting.

Flood Watch Issued for Lake Erie Shoreline

Flood Watch Issued for Lake Erie Shoreline

A Flood Watch has been issued for Niagara's Lake Erie shoreline. With Environment Canada issuing a special weather statement, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority says the strong winds in tomorrow's forecast will increase water levels and waves along the Lake Erie shoreline in Port Colborne and Fort Erie. The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry predicts that Lake Erie water levels will rise by more than four feet above current levels tomorrow.

Manitoba Hydro says it needs 3.5% rate hikes in next 2 years to manage risks from debt, water levels

Manitoba Hydro says it needs 3.5% rate hikes in next 2 years to manage risks from debt, water levels

Manitoba Hydro is asking the provincial regulator, the Public Utilities Board, to approve electricity rate increases of 3.5 per cent in each of the next two years. It also warns that it will likely need rate hikes above the rate of inflation in the future if it is to meet government debt-reduction targets. "These proposed increases will help ensure Manitoba Hydro has the financial resources available to handle the risks created by our $24-billion debt load and factors that are out of our control like fluctuating interest rates, export market prices and water levels," Jay Grewal, president and CEO of the Crown-owned utility, said in a press release Wednesday.

Heavy rain boosts water levels for salmon seeking to spawn

Heavy rain boosts water levels for salmon seeking to spawn

Mother Nature is about to throw another wet and windy punch our way this weekend, with “continuous and significant rainfall” and strong winds forecast from Victoria to Port Hardy starting Saturday morning or afternoon, depending on where you live. Rainfall, which is expected to last until Monday in some areas, will be heavier than the season’s initial atmospheric river on Thursday that knocked out power to more than 18,000 homes and caused dangerous driving conditions.

Pumps installed to ensure water flow for spawning salmon on Quinsam River

Pumps installed to ensure water flow for spawning salmon on Quinsam River

For only the second time on record, huge pumps have been set up in Upper Quinsam Lake west of Campbell River to ensure there is enough water in the region’s waterways to allow salmon to spawn and to ­protect new spawning beds at risk because of the ongoing drought. Pumps started working Friday to send water through several hundred metres of pipes into neighbouring Wokas Lake to maintain the current river flow rate. The lakes are connected by a channel.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario apologize to Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation as flooding claim settlement agreement is reached

The Governments of Canada and Ontario apologize to Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation as flooding claim settlement agreement is reached

On October 12, 2022, Chief Lorraine Cobiness of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation; the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs, announced the successful tripartite settlement agreement between Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario regarding Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation's flooding claim. The settlement provided Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation with $83,082,612 in total compensation, with Canada paying $63,243,003 and Ontario paying $19,839,609.

Village of Roche Percee under boil-water order after E. coli bacteria discovered in water supply

Village of Roche Percee under boil-water order after E. coli bacteria discovered in water supply

Water testing in the village of Roche Percee has revealed E. coli contamination, and a boil-water order has been initiated, the provincial Ministry of Health said Friday The order is applicable for the entire community and other individuals who access water from Roche Percee, about 20 kilometres southeast of Estevan. "It's been an ongoing crisis here for a while," Mayor Jay Riedel said. "We've gone through a flood in 2011 when six to seven feet of water was here, which compromised a lot of stuff in this area. "Our water levels in wells are low and without the rain, when we need to keep them full, we're usually down at the bottom all the time."

Water levels in Cowichan Lake exceptionally high

Water levels in Cowichan Lake exceptionally high

With the water level in Cowichan Lake higher than it has been at this time of year for some time, Catalyst Crofton increased the flow rate at the weir on the Cowichan River to 10 cubic metres per second on Sept. 16. Brian Houle, the environmental manager for Catalyst Crofton which operates the weir that regulates the flow of water from the lake to the river, said the water levels in the lake are very close to the maximum that is allowed.

Town of Antigonish orders residents to stop watering lawns, gardens

Town of Antigonish orders residents to stop watering lawns, gardens

The Town of Antigonish, N.S., is ordering all town and area water utility customers to begin conserving water. The order came into effect Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and will remain until water levels at the James River Dam return to normal. The town's chief administrative officer Jeff Lawrence told CBC's Maritime Noon the water behind the dam is one metre below spilling.

Nunavut declares state of emergency over Iqaluit water shortage

Nunavut declares state of emergency over Iqaluit water shortage

The Nunavut government has declared a two-week state of emergency over a water shortage in Iqaluit. Joanna Quassa, the acting minister of community and government services, said Friday that it's meant to ensure the city can get necessary regulatory approvals to immediately begin replenishing its reservoir. "We are committed to working with the City of Iqaluit to ensure water levels will meet the needs of the residents of Iqaluit through the upcoming winter," Quassa said in a statement.

Good news for flooded out northwestern Ontario. Lake of the Woods water levels continue to drop

Good news for flooded out northwestern Ontario. Lake of the Woods water levels continue to drop

The water level on Lake of the Woods continues to recede following major flooding in spring and early summer. In its latest update, the Lake of the Woods Secretariat states the lake level declined by six centimetres over the past week, and is expected to drop another eight to 10 centimetres in the coming week. Still, water levels remain high, with the lake above its 2014 peak of 323.78 metres. However, the lake remains below the record set in July 1950, when water levels reached 324.31 metres. High water levels, caused by heavy rainfall and thick snowpack leftover from the winter months, in the region led to major flooding in some areas in spring and early summer, including Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Fort Frances, Red Lake, and Marten Falls First Nation.

High winds could raise water levels more than 5 feet around Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba

High winds could raise water levels more than 5 feet around Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba

Strong winds could cause waves and high water levels along the southern basins of Lake Manitoba and areas around Lake Winnipeg beginning on Wednesday. Affected areas include the western shoreline near Gimli, and Victoria Beach on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Northwest winds up to 55 km/h will develop Wednesday afternoon and last until early morning on Thursday, and could raise water levels by more than five feet, Manitoba's Hydrologic Forecast Centre advised.

Lake of the Woods water levels remain high as area deals with heavy rains this week

Lake of the Woods water levels remain high as area deals with heavy rains this week

Heavy rainfall in the Kenora area has slowed the drop in the Lake of the Woods water level. Municipalities in the Lake of the Woods watershed struggled with heavy flooding in recent months. The Lake of the Woods Secretariat, in its most recent update, stated the lake's level remains above its 2014 peak, but is below the record level set in July 1950. With recent rainfall in the area, and forecasted precipitation in the coming days, the lake is expected to rise slightly before resuming its drop, the secretariat said.

Cleanup continues as northwestern Ontario floodwaters recede

Cleanup continues as northwestern Ontario floodwaters recede

As floodwaters continue to recede, the Town of Fort Frances, Ont., has begun cleaning up and making infrastructure repairs. But that will take some time. "The problem with doing all of these repairs is ... the water is going down, but it's still very high," said Travis Rob, Fort Frances's manager of operations and facilities. "So we really can't start any of this work until the water reaches that normal level.

Tsiigehtchic ferry fully reopens as water levels subside and N.W.T. gov't takes the reins again

Tsiigehtchic ferry fully reopens as water levels subside and N.W.T. gov't takes the reins again

On June 23, the N.W.T government was officially approved by the Gwich'in Land and Water Board to operate the Tsiigehtchic ferry landing, after its previous licence expired in November. The department said the timing of the licence approval wasn't responsible for the delay in the ferry's opening — that was caused by high water levels. The average opening date for the ferry over the last 15 years has been May 30. This year, it was open on and off from June 13 until June 21, and has remained open since then, according to the Department of Infrastructure's Twitter account. Lawrence Norbert of Tsiigehtchic told CBC News in mid-June that he and other residents were getting concerned when the ferry connecting the hamlet to other communities had still not opened. Their fears were around access to medical supplies and services.

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