It blows one’s mind knowing the Quinte region had the worst flooding on record this spring but Lower Trent Conservation has issued a minor drought status.
The conservation authority says precipitation levels have been well below normal the past three months and a Level 1 Low Water condition is being experienced in the watershed region.
As part of the minor drought, local municipalities, residents and businesses are expected to voluntarily reduce water usage by 10%.
From June to August, the three month rainfall total recorded by Environment Canada at Trenton was 142 millimetres, which is 65% of normal precipitation for this time of year (220 mm).
A three month precipitation below 80% is the trigger for Level 1 Low Water.
Monthly streamflows in our local creeks did not drop below the 70% of the Lowest Summer Month Average flows, which is another trigger for Level 1 Low Water. But the local creeks are nearing this low flow trigger as well.
Droughts can cause many severe impacts on the environment and communities including:
- Water shortages for human consumption, industrial, business and agriculture use
- Decline of water quality
- Increase in wildfires
- Increases in insect infestations and plant disease
There are three levels of Low Water Conditions with Level 1 being the least severe and Level 3 being the most.
