With below average rainfall over the last 2 and a half months throughout much of our watersheds, our local Low Water Response Team has requested that Grey Sauble Conservation declare a "level 1" low water condition under the Province's low water response program. The Team, consisting of representatives from water user groups, local and Provincial water managers, has reviewed the precipitation and stream flow data for our region and concluded that we are in a Level 1 low water condition.

A level 1 condition exists when precipitation for the last three-month period falls below 80% of average or stream flow falls below 70% of the lowest average summer flow. At present, stream flows are not below 70% but they are dropping quickly. Precipitation has been consistently below the 80% threshold and is the main reason for the level 1 condition.

The Water Response Team is calling for a voluntary 10% reduction in surface and groundwater use throughout our watershed area until further notice. Non-essential use of water is being discouraged. This may not apply to Municipal Water users whose supply is Lake Huron or Georgian Bay.

The Team also noted that we need more volunteer rain reporting. Watershed residents should consider joining an on-line volunteer rain reporting network such as CoCoRaHS. The network is free to join. Contact Grey Sauble CA for more details.

Continued dry weather may lead to more extreme low water conditions. Additional restrictions on water use may be requested if this occurs.

The Authority will continue to monitor precipitation and streamflow and to report to the Water Response Team, as necessary, until low water level conditions no longer exits. Updates will be provided as conditions change.