Low Water Advisory removed for Ausable watershed

Water Response Team removes Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the Ausable River watershed

December streamflows respond to heavy snow, snowmelt and rain

The Water Response Team (WRT) has removed the Level 1 Low Water Advisory for the Ausable River watershed. This follows the Low Water Advisory that was lifted for the Bayfield River watershed in November. Following an extended period of dry weather, watershed conditions have responded favourably to significant snowfall in December, and a recent runoff event. 

A snowmelt and runoff event in mid-December 2025 has resulted in a return to normal streamflow conditions. As winter appears to have set in, the WRT is optimistic that watershed conditions will remain near seasonal through winter until the spring season. 

The Chair of the Water Response Team, Ray Chartrand, thanked both industries and individuals who voluntarily reduced their water usage in response to the dry weather observed through the summer and autumn.

“Conservation of water is an important measure to prevent further declines in water supplies, and the actions taken throughout the prolonged period of dry weather this year, has helped to prevent any further Low Water Advisories,” Chartrand said. 

The Water Response Team was formed in 2001 in response to the low water and drought conditions that year and the team has been active ever since. The WRT includes representatives of major water users (such as aggregate industries; agriculture and vegetable growers; and golf and recreation) and includes local municipal representatives and staff of provincial ministries (such as Natural Resources; Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness; and Environment, Conservation and Parks).

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) staff will continue to monitor precipitation and streamflow data and keep the public informed of any changes in watershed conditions through the winter months. 

Visit the Province of Ontario's Surface Water Monitoring Centre web page for further resources on the Ontario low water response program or the website at abca.ca for the dynamic low-water advisory tool which alerts people to low-water advisories in effect in the watershed.