Mississippi River Watershed at Level III (Severe) Low Water Advisory

From the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority

Level III Low Water – Indicates a failure of the water supply to meet demand. Key focus is on regulation and enforcement.

This Low Water Statement is an update to the statement issued September 5, 2025.

Watershed Conditions: June through September experienced below-average rainfall combined with above-average temperatures, resulting in increasingly dry conditions across the Mississippi River Watershed.

Over the past 90 days, rainfall across the watershed has remained below 70% of the long-term seasonal average. Conditions have deteriorated further in the last 30 days, with rainfall falling to less than 50% of the seasonal norm. This has resulted in a sustained decline in streamflow; less than 30% of the lowest average summer monthly flow in some areas along the main channel of the Mississippi River and less than 20% in several tributaries.

Water levels across the system remain significantly below average and reservoir capacities are increasingly constrained.

This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Mississippi River Watershed have reached Level III (Severe) Low Water threshold under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Actions: The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is asking all water users that are not on the City of Ottawa’s municipal distribution network to reduce their water consumption by 50% to help mitigate the impacts of the low water conditions.

MVCA is advising the general public to use extreme caution while out on waterways for recreational purposes (swimming, boating).

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.

All residents throughout the Mississippi Valley watershed should be aware of any bans or bylaws that may be in place in their municipalities regarding watering or fire bans.

Conservation authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed.

Duration: This message is in effect until an update has been issued.

For more information: Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at www.mvc.on.ca/water-levels. For more information, contact: MVCA Duty Officer, 613-220-8462, Water-management@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
• Ontario’s Low Water Response program: www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program