Trent-Severn Waterway - Water Level Management Update – April 15, 2026
Parks Canada's water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis.
Parks Canada maintains the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Trent-Severn Waterway website at: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/point-gestion-eau-water-management-updates
The InfoNet contains background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.
This information is intended as supplemental information only. Please refer to your respective Conservation Authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to your area. These are: Kawartha Conservation, Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Conservation Authority, Lower Trent Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority or, in all other areas of the Trent and Severn Watersheds, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Weather
The five-day weather forecast is predicting 25–50 mm of precipitation. Air temperatures will remain in the double digits in Haliburton and stay above freezing overnight.
Outlook
The Trent–Severn watershed has received 75% above-normal precipitation during the month of March, and the first two weeks of April contributed approximately 100 mm of rain, which is well above the monthly normal. With rapid and ongoing snowmelt and significant received and forecasted rainfall, coupled with warm temperatures, flows and water levels have increased and will continue to rise at all locations as the impacts of rain and melting snow move through the system.
The Trent–Severn Water Management team will remain active, and changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or the local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district.
Ice on Shorelines
Temperature variations around and above the freezing mark make ice weak along shorelines, where it can be easily broken and mobilized by windy conditions. Areas facing the primary wind direction are subject to the greatest impact. In the event of strong winds, the public should be aware of possible onshore ice movement that could lead to shoreline damage. Forecast winds are currently moderate but may reach gusts of up to 60 km/hr. With warmer temperatures persisting into next week, ice-out conditions are expected to continue.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
With the onset of snowmelt and significant rainfall, water levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. Snow remains on the ground in the northern portions of the Gull River system. Most lake levels in the Gull River and Burnt River systems are above full and continue to rise due to snowmelt, accelerated by warm temperatures and ongoing rainfall. Most Central Lakes are also above full and rising.
Lake levels are monitored on a 24-hour basis, and operational activities are conducted based on current watershed conditions, lake levels, estimated runoff amounts, snowpack conditions, and forecasted rainfall. Flows on the Gull River and Burnt River are very high and increasing due to substantial runoff from already received precipitation, with further increases expected.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Water levels in the Kawartha Lakes are rising and are at or above full in Balsam, Cameron, Scugog, Sturgeon, Lower Buckhorn, Stony, and Katchewanooka Lakes. Levels continue to rise due to sustained high inflows from the Haliburton areas and recent rainfall. Flows on the Otonabee River are above average for this time of year and are expected to continue increasing.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Water levels on Rice Lake, as well as on the Upper and Lower Trent River, are above full and are anticipated to increase further due to inflows from local creeks, the Otonabee River, the Crowe River, and forecasted rainfall.
Lake Simcoe and the Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are above average, above full, and increasing, and are expected to continue rising due to high inflows from recent precipitation. Black River flows are above average and continue to increase. The Lake St. John Dam remains closed. Lake Simcoe outflows have been reduced to balance high water levels in Severn River areas and flow increases from the Black River. Water levels and flows will continue to increase throughout the Severn River system.
