Cataraqui Conservation: Fall Water Level Adjustments on Inland Lakes

Kingston – Cataraqui Conservation and other regional Water Managers have begun seasonal water level adjustments on managed lakes within the Cataraqui Region.

Every fall, following the summer recreation season, water levels on managed lakes (a lake with a water control structure such as a dam) are drawn down by Cataraqui Conservation and local water management staff to create more capacity for fall rains, runoff from spring snow melt and rainfall. It’s also done to stabilize water levels prior to winter freeze-up to promote a stable ice surface throughout the winter.

Recent rainfall has necessitated higher flows through some water control structures.

Adjustments by staff will continue over the coming weeks and months to increase discharge and reduce water levels at the following Cataraqui Conservation-managed dams (lakes):

• – Wilton Road Dam (Odessa Lake)
• – Sydenham Lake Dam
• – Temperance Lake Dam
• – Fred Grant Dam (Lees Pond)
• – Broome-Runciman Dam (Buell’s Creek Reservoir at the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area)

Higher downstream flows will result over this period of seasonal adjustment. Depending on rainfall, water levels may fluctuate through the fall, but generally, it is expected that these drawdowns will be completed by December.

Residents are reminded to use caution and stay away from dams (inflow and outflow channels) and fast-flowing watercourses. Respect the hazards in these areas by obeying all warning signs, booms, buoys, and barriers. Stay well back from the water’s edge above and below dams and hydroelectric stations. Creek banks and lake shorelines may be slippery, increasing the chance of falling in.

The following link has more info about dams and water control structures: https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/dams

Other Water Managers are performing similar operations this fall. The following link has a list of water control structures and owners in the area:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0496/7242/1533/files/WCS-Owners.pdf?v=1613660651