2006 1 Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR)

1

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Ontario Low Water

Response

(OLWR)

2

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

What is OLWR?• A response plan to minimize the effects of drought• The intension is to ensure provincial preparedness, to assist and to

support local response in the event of a drought.

Where did it come from?• Result of 1998 – 1999 drought• Developed by the:

• Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)• Ministry of the Environment (MOE)• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF)• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)• Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade

(MEDT)• Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)• Conservation Ontario (CO)

3

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Stream flow and Weather Monitoring

• The MNR, Conservation Authorities, Environment Canada and the MOE monitor stream flow and weather data.

• Data is collected from various stream flow/precipitation gauges on various watersheds in the province.

• Every week the MNR Surface Water Monitoring Centre compares stream flow and precipitation data to long-term records.

• When current conditions fall below the drought indicator levels, the Low Water Response Program takes affect.

• MNR staff consult with the Conservation Authority, MOE, OMAF and local MNR staff when stream flow and weather data indicate that an area may be in a Level I, II or III low water condition.

4

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

MNR Low Water Level Indicators

Level I Level II Level III

Rain< 80% of the

monthly average< 60% of the

monthly average< 40% of the monthly

average

Streamflow

Spring:

Monthly flow < 100% of the lowest average summer

month flow

Spring:

Monthly flow < 70% of the lowest

average summer month flow

Spring:

Monthly flow < 50% of the lowest average summer month flow

Other times:

Monthly flow < 70% of the lowest average summer

month flow

Other times:

Monthly flow < 50% of the lowest

average summer month flow

Other times:

Monthly flow < 30% of the lowest average summer month flow

5

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Water Response Teams (WRT)

• Teams are initiated by the Conservation Authority (or MNR Districts where CAs do not exist) and are tailored to individual watersheds

• Water Response Teams are the key to drought response

• They provide a watershed context and coordinated response

WRT may have membership from:

•Agriculture

•Rural Private Industry

•Recreation

•Resource Managers

•First Nations

•Municipal Government

•Provincial Government (MNR, MOE, OMAF)

•Business

6

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Roles of the WRT

• The ROLE of the WRT is to coordinate local actions to minimize the impacts of drought.

• WRTs do not replace existing agencies, policies and statutes but rather they facilitate the coordination of water management agencies, non-government groups and users.

• WRTs do not possess any unique legislative authority but can help by advising on the current regulations and tools.

7

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Agency Roles and Responsibilities

Conservation Authorities

• Maintain precipitation and stream-flow monitoring networks

• Monitor local stream health and water quality

• Lead watershed characterization

• Strong links with community groups, media, government

• Operate dams and reservoirs (LRCA only operates flow structures, no ability to regulate flow)

• In field verification of MNR low flow data

• Administer section of the Fisheries Act

• Initiate Water Response Team (only in area of jurisdiction)

8

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.

Ministry of Natural Resources

• Maintain provincial stream flow and precipitation network

• Analysis of data and application of drought indicators

• Administer portions of the Fisheries Act (requirement to maintain base flows)

• Administer Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act

• Operate dams and reservoirs

• Links with outdoor recreation groups

• Participate as a representative of the province but are not a voting member of the WRT

9

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.

Ministry of the Environment

• Assist in maintaining monitoring networks

• Manage the Permit to Take Water (PTTW) Program (All users taking more than 50,000 litres per day are required to have a permit)

• Communication link with permit holders

• Administer the Ontario Water Resources Act and Environmental Protection Act

• Participate as a representative of the province but are not a voting member of the WRT

10

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food

• Links with the agriculture water users

• Conservation messages

• Participate as a representative of the province but are not voting members of the WRT

11

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Agency Roles and Responsibilities cont.

Local Municipalities

• Monitor and control water supplies

• Bylaws (i.e. alternate lawn watering days)

• Strongly promote water conservation

• Link with large commercial and industrial consumers

• Responsibilities under the Emergency Plans Act

12

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

WRT Member Responsibilities:

• Attend meetings

• Communicating back to their sectors

• Sharing relevant data (i.e. Precipitation, streamflow and groundwater level data, PTTW permit holders etc.)

• Implementing drought management tools (i.e. municipal by-laws, coordinated irrigation signage, public awareness communications)

• Confirm local conditions

• Plan a conservation strategy

• Communicate the conservation plan

13

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

Three Levels of Response

Level I – Potential water supply problems

• Voluntary Conservation

• 10% use reduction

• Communications

Level II – Minor problems, potential major supply problems

• Conservation and restrictions on non-essential uses

• Further 10% use reduction

• Communications, manage supply, impose restrictions

Level III – Supply fails to meet demand, social and economic impact

• Conservation, restrictions, regulation

• Decisions regarding water use restrictions/supply options move to provincial directors

14

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

OLWR in the LRCA Jurisdiction:

• LRCA jurisdiction is mainly made up of un-regulated watercourses

• The only regulated water course is the Kam River, which is managed by OPG and the MNR

• LRCA operates flow structures, none of which can be manipulated to alter flows

• In the event of low water conditions, the MOE would restrict PTTW permit holders

• Municipalities can enforce by-laws to regulate non-essential water consumption

• Voluntary conservation is the main measure that the LRCA would promote during a low water event

15

www.lakeheadca.com 2006

OLWR Summary:

• LRCA is to coordinate OWLR response for area of jurisdiction (outside jurisdiction, MNR coordinates)

• In the LRCA jurisdiction, most watersheds are unregulated, therefore flow is not controlled

• MOE manages and regulates the PTTW program

• Voluntary conservation is the main measure that can be promoted/implemented during a low water event in our area

• Municipalities can enforce/implement by-laws to restrict non-essential water consumption

• Province assumes decision making role at Level III