2024 Mississippi Valley Watershed Fall Lake Draw Down Timetable
The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority’s annual fall draw down is underway.
Draw downs on Shabomeka and Pine Lakes as well as the Carleton Place Dam began in September.
The draw down of Summit and Widow Lakes will start after the Thanksgiving weekend. Kashwakamak, Mississagagon and Big Gull lakes will begin a week later on Oct 21st . The drawdown on Mazinaw Lake will not start until early November to account for boat traffic through the narrows during hunting season. Winter target levels are normally reached before freeze up but are dependent on how much rainfall the watershed receives over the fall season. Seasonal conditions are expected over the next two months.
The following chart provides fall drawdown dates on lakes that are used to provide storage for flooding for next spring.
|
Lake / Dam |
Drawdown Start Date |
Drawdown End Date |
|
|
|
|
|
Shabomeka Lake Dam |
Mid September |
Early October |
|
Pine Lake Dam |
Mid September |
Early October |
|
Mississippi Lake / Carleton Place Dam |
Mid September |
Early October |
|
Kashwakamak Lake Dam |
After Thanksgiving weekend (Mid Oct) |
Early December |
|
Mississagagon Lake Dam |
After Thanksgiving weekend (Mid Oct) |
Mid October |
|
Big Gull Lake Dam |
After Thanksgiving weekend (Mid Oct) |
Mid November |
|
Summit Lake Dam |
After Thanksgiving weekend (Mid Oct) |
Mid October |
|
Widow Lake Dam |
After Thanksgiving weekend (Mid Oct) |
Mid October |
|
Mazinaw Lake Dam |
After hunting season (Mid Nov) |
Mid December |
Residents are urged to use extreme caution around these structures as strong currents will be present while water levels decrease to normal fall levels during this time and should ensure that all boats, floating docks, etc., have been removed.
Daily water levels and flows are available on the MVCA website at http://mvc.on.ca/water-levels/
Contact: Jennifer North
Water Resource Technologist
613-253-0006 ext. 243
www.mvc.on.ca
