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June 09, 2021 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY WATERSHED—This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Mississippi River watershed are now at the threshold for Level 1 Minor Drought status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

As the dry weather continues in the Mississippi and Carp River watersheds, drought conditions are expected to extend into the summer months as flows and levels continue to decline.  Rainfall amounts have been extremely low since April with below average precipitation forecasted for June and July.  

The MVCA is requesting all water users that are not on the City of Ottawa’s municipal distribution network to reduce their water consumption by 10% to help mitigate the impacts of the low water conditions.

Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are asked to reduce their actual taking as much as possible. Residents are also urged to use water conservatively by using rain barrels to water lawns and gardens and avoid using pressure washers to clean houses, driveways, decks and fences. Please check your municipality’s website for current water usage restrictions.   

This message will be in effect until (or updated before) July 16, 2021.

Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at http://mvc.on.ca/water-levels/

 

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Contact: Jennifer North
Water Resource Technologist
613-253-0006 ext. 243
jnorth@mvc.on.ca   www.mvc.on.ca

More Resources:

City of Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/water-utility-bills/water-conservation

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage