The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) has issued a caution about a potential water supply issue in the region due to limited rainfall in the past three months, notably in September, which was particularly dry. Local stream gauges are indicating flow levels between five percent and 37 percent of the usual amount for this time of year, according to NBMCA duty officer Angela Mills. Conditions in October will need to be wetter than average to alleviate the low water situation.
The conservation authority is urging residents to decrease their water usage by 20 percent. While the municipal water supply intake has been evaluated to be at a low risk level, the NBMCA highlighted concerns about possible low water levels heading into winter. Private water intakes have not been assessed.
Additionally, the NBMCA emphasized that reduced water levels could bring submerged hazards closer to the surface in certain areas, advising caution for boaters. NBMCA staff will continue to monitor the situation closely.