As dry conditions persist, residents and businesses in the Upper Thames River watershed are being told to limit their water usage.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is warning that Level 1 Low Water conditions, first declared in mid-July, are continuing. That is despite more rain falling across the watershed over the past couple of weeks.
"We evaluate low water conditions by looking at several indicators, including precipitation and stream flows," said Mark Helsten, the conservation authority's senior water resources engineer.
According to the conservation authority, the area has seen only 77 per cent of its normal precipitation over the past three months. Most stream flows in the area have been "relatively normal" for this time of year, the UTRCA said.
Large reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock conservation areas and several smaller ones have been releasing water stored from the spring runoff back into the river system to counter the effects of the dry summer.
Residents in communities that rely on wells for their water are being urged to conserve. That includes taking shorter showers and watering the lawn less. The conservation authority recommends that residents reduce their water usage by 10 per cent for the time being.
London and some other area communities draw their water supply from Lake Huron and Lake Erie, so conservation measures there would have no effect on water levels in the Thames River or its tributaries. Where Londoners would see the negatives of the dry season is if hoping to fish or partake in recreational activities on the river or other area waterways.
Over the next seven days, Environment Canada is only calling for a 40 per cent chance of rain on Friday and Sunday.
