Residents and water users around Conestogo Lake in Mapleton Township are being urged to conserve water as dry summer conditions continue to affect the Grand River watershed.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) says all of its large reservoirs are within normal operating range for this time of year, with the exception of Conestogo Lake. The reservoir is being drawn down to allow for concrete repairs on the upstream side of the Conestogo Dam.
At the same time, the Grand River Low Water Response Team has placed the entire watershed at Level 1 under Ontario’s Low Water Response Program, following a meeting on August 21. This means water users — including municipalities, farms, businesses, and households — are asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 10 per cent.
Low and variable rainfall since June, combined with high summer temperatures, has led to reduced stream flows in several tributaries. The GRCA is using its upstream reservoirs to augment river flows and help meet low-flow targets downstream. This water supports municipalities such as Waterloo Region and Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, and ensures proper operation of wastewater treatment plants across the watershed.
Officials say residents can help immediately by following their municipal outdoor water bylaws, which typically limit lawn and garden watering to certain days and times.
More information about the Ontario Low Water Response Program and current watershed conditions is available on the GRCA website.
