NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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Whitemans and McKenzie Creek sub-watersheds at Level 2
Water users in parts of Brant, Oxford, Norfolk, Six Nations, New Credit and Haldimand are being asked to reduce their consumption by 20 percent, because of continued dry conditions in the area.
Whitemans Creek has been in a Level 2 condition since Thursday, July 7.
McKenzie Creek has now also been moved to a Level 2.
The rest of the Grand River watershed remains in a Level 1 condition.
The request for the cutback affects water users in these subwatersheds:
- McKenzie Creek - Boston Creek: This sub-watershed includes southern Brant County near Scotland and Oakland, the northeastern corner of Norfolk County, much of the Six Nations and New Credit territories and part of Haldimand County south of Caledonia. The two creeks merge near York, where McKenzie Creek enters the Grand River.
- Mount Pleasant Creek: The creek has its headwaters near the village of Mount Pleasant and flows east through Brant County to the Grand River near Newport.
- Whitemans Creek – Horner and Kenny Creeks: These creeks drain western Brant County and eastern Oxford County.
The request comes from the Grand River Low Water Response Team, which has noted water levels in the McKenzie and Whitemans Creek sub-watersheds have dropped to below half of the average summer flow.
In addition, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is asking anglers to refrain from fishing in Whitemans Creek, which is an important trout habitat.
Low water levels and warm water temperatures can put the fish population under stress, which can be compounded by fishing.
Current conditions
While the watershed received some much needed precipitation last week, the soil has been very dry and the rain that did fall absorbed quickly or ran off in the urban areas.
The southern part of the watershed continues to be particularly dry, and there is little rain in the forecast.
Flows are being maintained in the Grand and Speed Rivers from discharge from the large reservoirs.
During the summer period discharges from the reservoirs help to maintain flows for water supply, aquatic habitat and water quality.
Water conservation urged
The most significant action that residents can take to conserve water is to limit lawn watering and other outdoor water uses in line with local bylaws, even if they have private water sources.
The aquifers that feed Whitemans and McKenzie creeks also feed many wells and dug ponds in the area.
Water withdrawn from wells and ponds can reduce the amount of water that makes its way into the creek.
Therefore, it is important that all water users help to conserve water.
For farmers, information on Water Shortages and Conservation is available in the Low Water Response section of the GRCA website, as well as suggested actions that other major water users can take to help conserve water.
The GRCA’s report on Drought Contingency Planning for the Grand River watershed, written as part of the Grand River Watershed Water Management Plan, is also available online.
Permits To Take Water are issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to those who withdraw more than 50,000 litres a day of water from a watercourse, pond or well.
In the Whitemans Creek and McKenzie Creek sub-watersheds, there are about 215 Permits to Take Water, most of which are for irrigation.
If a resident is concerned about water takings in their area, they are asked to contact their local district MOECC office, as the agency responsible for these permits.
About the Ontario Low Water Response Program and the Grand River Low Water Response Team
Under the Ontario Low Water Response Program, Level 1 results in a request for a voluntary 10 percent reduction in water consumption by all water users.
Level 2 conditions are declared when flows in a river or stream sink to less than 50 percent of normal, which triggers the request for a voluntary reduction in water use of 20 percent.
The Grand River Low Water Response Team meets regularly during dry weather.
The team is made up of representatives of major water users including municipalities, farmers, golf course operators, gravel pit businesses, Six Nations and others.
Representatives of several provincial ministries such as Natural Resources, Environment, Agriculture and Food, and Municipal Affairs and Housing sit as non-voting members.
It implements the Ontario Low Water Response Program within the Grand River Watershed.
The program was introduced in 1999 following several years of dry weather.
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