Integrated Water Management Across the Trent River Watershed It’s All About the Water The Coali on for Equitable Water Flow (CEWF) Presenta on to Dysart et al Municipal Council July 27, 2015 By Members of the Execu ve Commi ee of CEWF
It's All About The Water: Report of The Panel on the Future of the Trent-Severn Waterway 2008 • … the waterway is really a vast water management system with a naviga on channel running through it. To consider the lakes and rivers of the naviga on channel as separate from the rest of the system is neither ecologically tenable nor advisable in planning for the future of the waterway. • We see a future that is rooted in the equitable sharing of the water throughout the watersheds within the context of a strong conserva on ethic, one subscribed to by all users. • We believe that all government agencies involved in the management of water should have the goal of fostering an integrated approach.
2 Presenta on Outline
• What is CEWF • Why is water management important • Overview of the watershed and water management by Parks Canada • Summary of water management constraints • Key developments following the Panel Report • Summary of CEWF Priori es Areas for coopera on with Municipali es in Haliburton and northern Peterborough Coun es (TSW’s “Haliburton Sector”)
3 What is the Coali on for Equitable Water Flow? (CEWF)
• The Coali on is a Volunteer Organiza on • Formed in 2006 to provide input to the federal Panel on the Future of the Trent Severn Waterway in 2007 • Represents interests of 35,000+ shoreline property owners in “Haliburton Sector” of Trent watershed with regard to water management issues • Includes “Reservoir” and “Flow-Through” (RaFT) lakes • 31 Member Lake Associa ons represent 90% of the TSW’s reservoir lake storage capacity (lakes with no associa on = 6%) • Sub-watersheds included: – Gull, Burnt & Mississauga rivers plus Nogies, Eel’s & Jack’s creeks
4 CEWF Execu ve Commi ee
• Ted Spence, Chair, Catchacoma Lake • Bruce McClennan, Vice-Chair, Gull Lake • Roger Cunningham, Sec/Treasurer, White Lake • Chris Riddle, Kennisis Lake • Mar n Rist, Drag Lake • Bill Cornfield, Horseshoe Lake • David Lean, Jack’s Lake • Geoff Byford, Mountain Lake
5 Member Lake Associa ons Represents 90% of Reservoir Capacity: 6% no known LA Dysart et al lakes
• Anstruther • Gull • Maple/Beech/ • Big Bob (South) • Haliburton Cameron • Canning • Halls & Hawk (Big and • Miskwabi • Cavendish Ratepayers Li le) • Moore (Mississagua, • Horseshoe • Mountain Catchacoma et al) • Jack’s • Percy • Crystal • Kashagawigamog • Redstone • Drag & Spruce • Kennisis • Salerno/Devil’s • Eel’s • Koshlong • Soyers • Esson • Kushog • Twelve Mile/Li le • Fortescue • Li le Glamor Boshkung • Glamor • Loon • White
6 Dysart Lakes comprise approx. 42% of TSW Reservoir Capacity
7 CEWF Objec ves
• To promote an Integrated Approach to Water Management at the Watershed Level that will improve water conserva on while recognizing the environmental, public safety, social and socioeconomic constraints of managing the water resource. • To maintain dialogue with TSW management to ensure improved understanding of local issues and management of water levels and flows in the RaFT lakes (includes Preferred Water Levels project). • To promote shared informa on and understanding of water management issues and prac ces watershed wide across the Canal lakes, and the RaFT lakes. • To promote approaches to ensure safe naviga on, access to waterfront property, economic sustainability and the avoidance of nega ve environmental and economic impacts for residents on the RaFT lakes.
8 Why is Water Management Important?
• It’s All About the Water! • Much of the Dysart et al economy is directly or indirectly dependent on the excellent water quality and sound water management of our lakes and rivers. • over 80% of property taxes come from waterfront proper es. • The social and economic health of not only our lake communi es but of everyone in the Municipality depends upon good water management.
9 Why is an Integrated Approach Important?
• It establishes the en re (Trent) watershed as the geographic area to be managed and facilitates development of a watershed plan that is able to address regional social and economic considera ons as well as water management.
• It allows the priori es of canal users to be balanced against those of municipali es and other stakeholders given the mul ple uses of the water – for municipal drinking water, sewage treatment, irriga on, recrea on, tourism, preserva on of wetlands etc. in all parts of the watershed.
10 The Trent Watershed
• Trent River watershed is the largest in Southern Ontario with drainage area of 12,530 sq. km. covering 3 sub- watersheds. • The Haliburton Sector Reservoir Lakes – (3,320 sq. km.) • The Kawartha Lakes & Otonabee River - (4,862 sq. km.) • Rice Lake, the Trent River & Crowe River – (4,348 sq. km.)
• Main feature of the watershed is the Trent-Severn Waterway which stretches 386 km from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario and includes 45 locks from #1 Trenton to #45 Port Severn
11 What About Water Quality?
• The Trent watershed is a living ecosystem from the headwaters to Lake Ontario • It includes the forests, wetlands, lakes and rivers as well as the urban landscapes – all of which influence both hydrology (flow pa erns) and water availability • The equitable sharing of water includes making sure that there is adequate supply for these natural ecosystems • Health and ecological integrity are prime concerns • Our overall approach recognizes the importance of water quality but we typically defer to the Coali on of Haliburton Associa ons (CHA) to take the lead on water quality issues – at least in Haliburton County. 12 13 Reservoir & Flow-Through (RAFT) Lakes
• In the “Haliburton Sector” (Haliburton County and northern Peterborough County) there are 35 reservoirs - 17 in the Gull River system, 13 in the Burnt River System, and 5 in the central area including the Mississauga chain of lakes, Anstruther , Eels, Jacks and Crystal lakes. There are also 6 reservoirs in the Crowe River basin. • The reservoir systems are complex to manage with seasonal water level changes of up to 10 feet (3.4 m) combined with severe flow constraints at some points (e.g. Minden) • There are also challenges to maintaining navigable water levels on connec ng rivers and flow-through lakes in the reservoir area (e.g. Shadow, Mountain, and Maple lakes) – as well as minimum flows for Walleye spawning at Drag Lake and in West Guilford. 14 15 16 Kawartha Lakes Annual Flow (20% Gull R, 21% Burnt R, 28% Central Reservoirs, and 31% from the South) Source KLSA 2009
17 Key Water-Flow & -Level Constraints
Constraints form the basis for a sound water management model that supports TSW priori es including: – public health & safety (flood management and water supply) and – Waterway / canal naviga on Key constraints relate to: • Minimum flow at Peterborough for water supply and sewage treatment; Note however: It is understood that leakage through dam #1 in Trenton exceeds all other flow constraints for extended periods. • Maintaining water levels on the waterway per the Canal Regula ons draught limits.
18 Constraints affec ng the RaFT Lakes
• Minimum/Maximum Flows at various points – Maximums at Minden & Coboconk – Minimums at flow-through lakes - Maple/Beech/Grass, Shadow • Physical Constraints – Gull River through Minden – Manipula ng logs at dam loca ons takes me and has seasonal limita ons • Environmental Constraints – In Spring – walleye spawning and loon/waterfowl nes ng – In Fall – Lake Trout spawn • Naviga on Constraints – Maintaining the RaFT lake levels in a preferred range • NOTE: The reservoirs were not designed as a flood control system although the fall drawdown provides a buffering capacity during the Spring freshet!
19 Kennisis Lake Levels A Typical Reservoir Lake Dam Height with 9.5 Logs 2.90 m, Winter set 3 logs, Ave Ann Fluct 1.55 m.
20 CEWF Preferred Water Levels Project
Drag Lake Levels
Average Maximum Minimum Winter Set PWL-High PWL-Low Target
3.1
2.7
2.4
2.1
1.8
1.5
1.2 Level (m) 0.9
0.6
0.3
0.0 7-Oct 1-Jan 9-Jun 1-Mar 6-Dec 8-Aug 19-Jul 27-Oct 10-Apr 30-Apr 21-Jan 29-Jun 21-Mar 10-Feb 28-Aug 17-Sep 26-Dec 16-Nov 20-May Month
21 Where is the CEWF Coming From?
• Panel on the Future of the Trent Severn Waterway (2008) and Governments reac on – Water Management Advisory Council (2009) – Federal/Provincial MOU (2011) • 2012 Water Management Study by AECOM • 2012 Demise of Navigable Waters Protec on Act • Preparedness for Climate Change/extreme weather • Dam Safety Informa on and Ac on • Mandate to Educate and Liaise
22 WMAC (2009) & MOU (2011)
• Parks Canada established a Water Management Advisory Council in 2009 • Members from Haliburton were Chris Riddle & Keith Hodgson • WMAC provided a valuable forum for stakeholder engagement • However the Council currently lacks a Chair and is dormant • Ontario and Canada signed an MOU in 2011. Priori es included: • clarifica on of jurisdic onal responsibili es, • waterway and watershed-wide collabora ve planning • There has been a lack of communica ons regarding ac vity under the MOU which is due to expire in July 2016
23 AECOM Water Management Study (2012)
• Comprehensive 4 volume report on all aspects of TSW water management. • Evalua on of the Current Approach • Water management Manual • Review of Water Management Systems and Models • Data Collec on and management Guide • Recommends the development of a constraint based management process supported by new water management modelling tools – tools that remain unavailable to the TSW
24 Predicted Impacts of Climate Change on TSW Water Management For 30 Year Period 2041-2070 [Source: AECOM]
PREDICTED CHANGES • Mean annual temperature will increase by about + 2.5 degrees C. • Annual Precipita on will increase a small amount but by + 11% in winter.
IMPACTS • More winter runoff and winter floods. • Spring freshet: Peaking 17 days earlier on average but with lower volume May require addi on of stop-logs earlier during winter months, or modifica on of winter stop-log se ngs. • Summer through fall runoff volume reduc on of ~7 %. May lead to difficul es feeding the waterway with current reservoir lakes storage capaci es. • More frequent extreme weather events likely.
25 2013 – Extreme Weather Event
26 Minden 2013 27 Consider recent RaFT lake water level experiences
• 2009 and 2011 fairly normal years • 2010- very li le spring runoff and reservoirs did not fill un l late July • 2012- much lower than average water levels beginning in late May with no rain un l August • 2013 – some of highest flows and levels on record and extreme flooding in Haliburton area in April and again in May • 2014 – late ice-out dates followed by a wet summer and fall • 2015 – reduced snowpack, reduced freshet, late ice-out, dry start to year but above average rain in May and June Miskwabi/Long Lake - June & August 2010
29 Mississagua Lake Levels
Average Maximum Minimum 2010
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5 Level Level (m)
1.0
0.5
0.0 19-Jul 10-Apr 30-Apr 07-Oct 27-Oct 01-Jan 21-Jan 09-Jun 29-Jun 01-Mar 21-Mar 10-Feb 16-Nov 06-Dec 26-Dec 08-Aug 28-Aug 17-Sep 20-May Month Maple Lake 2012
31 Major Infrastructure Funding Announcement - June 19, 2015 • The Government of Canada has announced a five year $285 million capital improvement program for the TSW infrastructure. • Five Projects in the reservoirs (Haliburton Sector) are included - Rehabilita on of the Mississagua Lake Dam ($2.8M), - Rehabilita on of the Coboconk Dam ($1.2M), - Rehabilita on of the Horseshoe Lake Dam ($700k) - Replacement of the Kennisis Lake Dam ($1.4M) supplementary funding to go with the $3.5M previously announced. - Funding for concrete rehabilita on at various sites ($10.6M) • A major reconstruc on of Dam #1 at Trenton ($25.3M) plus mechaniza on of several canal dams will provide significant improvements to water management capacity of the whole system.
32 Replacing the Kennisis Dam
33 2015 – CEWF and TSW Management
• CEWF will con nue too work with TSW management with a focus on: – Greater understanding of RaFT lake issues including preferred water levels, fisheries and other environmental constraints, winter set levels, and flood management issues and constraints. – Encouraging TSW to act on the recent AECOM Study recommenda ons with specific reference to the acquisi on of improved forecas ng models. – Encourage TSW to work with municipali es and Ontario to provide a greater informa on base for effec ve water management in flood situa ons with the objec ve of improving public safety and minimizing damage costs. – Encouraging TSW to reac vate the TSW Water Management Advisory Council. – Urging the public release of the results of the numerous dam safety reviews that have now been undertaken across the TSW system. – Ensuring opportuni es for public and municipal input on TSW capital project planning e.g. re micro-hydro opportuni es.
34 CEWF, Municipali es and Ontario
• CEWF is mee ng with the new municipal councils in Haliburton and northern Peterborough Coun es – To expand understanding of the complexity of watershed wide water management issues and seek support for more integrated planning. – To ini ate a conversa on on the value of establishing a single en ty to speak on watershed-wide water management related issues for the en re RaFT lakes area, including all reservoirs in Haliburton and northern Peterborough coun es not currently represented by a Conserva on Authority. 35 Six Conserva on Authori es in the Trent Severn Watersheds but No CA Coverage for Most of the Reservoir Lakes Areas
36 We lack a regional voice
• CEWF is concerned that the RaFT lakes region (Haliburton and northern Peterborough Coun es) lacks a ‘single voice’ to speak in terms of watershed-wide ini a ves that affect our social and economic interests. • We are not proposing a conserva on authority but suggest there might be benefits from a ‘watershed council’ or some similar mechanism led by the municipal/county levels of government.
37 We need to engage Ontario
• CEWF believes that the Province needs to be more involved, especially as their focus is already on watersheds. • There may be an opportunity for a pilot project under the MNRF Partnership program to undertake one or more ini a ves that our area lacks for want of a CA e.g. • Dry season planning – impact on wetlands, water supply, naviga on, tourism, flood horizons for ‘at-risk’ lakes such as Horseshoe • Improved fishery informa on (trout and walleye) that is lake- or river-specific • Other constraint informa on necessary for a fully func onal, constraint-based water-management plan.
38 What can Municipali es Do?
1. Recognize that the lakes and their water quality and levels are our lifeblood therefore con nue steps like Shoreline Protec on 2. Strongly endorse the need for a revitalized TSW Water Management Advisory Council (WMAC). 3. Work to ensure that RaFT lake municipali es have a strong voice in federal & provincial water management discussions affec ng the Trent watershed. 4. Review Flood planning and update floodplain data 5. Review Low Water implica ons/plans with TSW and seek a more equitable approach 6. Urge Parks Canada to release dam safety informa on
39 What are others saying?
Mark Ackert’s TSW Working Group is asking candidates in the upcoming federal to endorse 4 points: • Support full funding for cri cal TSW infrastructure • Recognize the TSW’s economic significance • Promote the TSW in Parliament as an economic development priority • Support a new governance model that devolves opera ons, control and financing of the Trent Severn Waterway to those who live and work in the region CEWF cau ons that this focus on canal opera ons makes no men on of water management for the watershed or the economy of the RaFT lakes region.
40 Request for Support
The Coali on for Equitable Water Flow would appreciate the support of Dysart Council by way of a resolu on recognizing the value of our efforts to improve water management of the Trent River watershed by Parks Canada, especially with regard to the need for: • an integrated approach to water management at the watershed level; • The need for a municipally-sponsored single en ty to represent the interests of the en re reservoir and flow-though (RaFT) lakes area not currently represented by a Conserva on Authority; • restructuring of Parks Canada’s Water Management Advisory Council with a strong focus on improved water management across the en re Trent watershed including the RaFT lakes in Haliburton and northern Peterborough Coun es; • Improved awareness and understanding of RaFT lake issues including preferred water levels, fisheries and other environmental constraints; • encouraging the TSW to work with municipali es and Ontario to provide an expanded informa on base for effec ve water management in both flood situa ons and dry seasons, with the objec ve of improving public safety and minimizing the costs associated with extreme weather.
41 Website: cewf.ca CEWF News & links to TSW Water Levels, and forecasts E-mail: [email protected]
42 Ques ons? And Discussion
43