Parks Canada Invites the Community to Celebrate Canada Day With the Trent-Severn Waterway

This Canada Day, Parks Canada is welcoming visitors to celebrate the natural heritage of Canada on the Trent-Severn Waterway by offering free lockage for recreational boaters on July 1.

photo courtesy of parks canada.

As cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada is committed to providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences and supporting tourism in communities across the country.

They say that by encouraging Canadians to visit national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas and providing them with the information and means to enjoy them, Parks Canada enables more Canadians to learn about our shared heritage and experience the outdoors.

To make the most of their Parks Canada experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance. Visit the Parks Canada website for more details.

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City of Peterborough to Host Drop-In Session for New Valleymore Park Splash Pad

Residents are invited to share their input on plans for a new splash pad at Valleymore Park, located at 338 Spillsbury Dr., at a community drop-in session on May 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.

file photo.

Everyone is welcome to stop in to talk to the project team and provide input regarding the splash pad features they prefer.

Community drop-in session:

Monday, May 29, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre - Multi-Purpose Room B

775 Brealey Dr., Peterborough

Information about the proposed splash pad and a community survey is available on the City’s community consultation website Connect Peterborough.

Paper copies of the survey are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. The survey will be open until 11:55 p.m. on June 5.

The City has a strategic plan to enhance the City’s outdoor water play facilities through the development of new facilities and the replacement of aging facilities at various parks across the city. Splash pads are hard surface playgrounds that have water squirts, ground geysers and decorative water spray features. Splash pads are designed for children from toddler age to pre-teen. The City currently operates six splash pads throughout the City.

Community feedback will help inform the City about the needs of the neighbourhood as the design of the splashpad is considered. Future information about the project and a concept plan will be updated on the Connect Peterborough project page as the information becomes available.

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Flood Watch Update Issued For Trent-Severn Waterway Tuesday

A Flood Watch Update was issued for Municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and Trent Hills, and Otonabee Conservation’s other partners in flood emergency management on Tuesday April 11– notifying them that flooding is possible.

file photo.

The waterways within Otonabee Conservation’s jurisdiction and the headwaters of the Trent-Severn Waterway (Reservoir Lakes/Haliburton Lakes region) will experience above normal air temperatures through Sunday April 16.  The next rainfall event is forecasted for the 16th is through Tuesday April 18 with potential rainfall amounts in the range of 15 to 30 millimetres. 

Parks Canada is currently managing water through the entire Trent-Severn Waterway.  With the increased flows entering the Kawartha Lakes, water levels will continue to increase and result in breakup of ice cover and potential ice jams. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Kawartha Lakes and Rice Lake shoreline is expected.  

Water levels and flows on the Otonabee River have levelled off and will remain steady.  Potential increases to water levels and flows may result from further water management due to additional runoff from the forecasted rainfall event. Flooding of low-lying areas along the Otonabee River is expected. 

Otonabee Conservation advises area municipalities to prepare for swelling of rivers, streams, creeks and wetlands with possibility of waters inundating adjacent properties and roads. Shoreline residents and businesses are strongly encouraged to take action to limit or prevent damages due to potential flooding. Residents and visitors are advised not to drive, cycle, or walk through flooded areas and to obey all road/traffic closures. Adults, parents and caregivers are advised to keep themselves, children and pets away from all waterways and conveyance structures (i.e., dams, culverts and bridges). 

Water levels can be monitored on-line at: 

1. Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet

2. Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data   

3. Otonabee Region Conservation Authority website  

This Flood Watch Update message will expire Tuesday, April 18 unless updated earlier.                                                               

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Free Well Water Sampling Program Resumes April 11 in North Kawartha and Trent Lakes

Peterborough Public Health (PPH), the Township of North Kawartha, and the Municipality of Trent Lakes are making well water testing easier for all permanent and seasonal residents by offering free well water sample drop off from spring to fall.

stock photo.

Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli. Total coliforms indicate the presence of general contamination, such as surface runoff, and E. coli indicates the water is contaminated with fecal material, which may contain disease-causing microorganisms. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water, but young, elderly and immuno-compromised individuals are at higher risk.

“With snow melt and spring runoff, this is a good time of year to test your water as there is a higher risk of contamination. In addition to submitting a water sample, residents should take the time to inspect their well,” says Public Health Inspector Chris Eaton. “Check that the well cap is secure, the vent screens are in good condition, and that the ground is sloped away from the well. If your well is the older style in a pit, check that the pit is not flooded with surface water. If it is, consider having the well upgraded by a licensed well contractor.”

Beginning April 11, water samples can be dropped off at the North Kawartha Municipal Office (280 Burleigh St, Apsley) Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., and the Trent Lakes Municipal Office (760 County Road 36, Trent Lakes) Tuesday and Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Samples are then couriered to the Public Health Ontario Lab in Peterborough for testing. Empty sample bottles can be picked up any time during regular business hours. Samples must be collected within 24 hours of drop off at the municipal office to ensure they reach the lab and are processed in a timely manner. Residents are encouraged to carefully read the sampling and collection instructions included with each kit.

Water samples can also be dropped off at the following locations:

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa St, Havelock, from Monday through Thursday
  between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St, Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through
  Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

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Otonabee Conservation Issues Flood Watch to Peterborough and Surrounding Area

A flood watch update has been issued by Otonabee Conservation for the Trent-Severn Waterway and local watercourses on Thursday, urging residents to keep close watch for frazil ice.

file photo.

At 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Otonabee Conservation issued a flood watch for the Trent-Severn Waterway (Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River to Hastings) and other local watercourses, alerting municipalities, residents and businesses that flooding is possible.

As a result of rainfall and snowmelt across the Trent-Severn, Parks Canada is managing high water levels and flows through the entire system. These high flows are expected to continue along the Otonabee River for the next seven to ten days, according to Otonabee Conservation.

The winter storm forecast is expected to generate frazil ice which may lead to flooding. Frazil ice (a kind of slush ice) can form when cold air temperatures and wind chill combine to cause surface water temperature to be super-cooled, but is unable to form a solid cover of ice because of fast moving water.

As frazil ice flows downstream, Otonabee Conservation says it will eventually come to rest against obstructions such as islands, bridge piers and abutments, in low velocity areas (bends, slope reductions) or in areas of channel constrictions, where it will accumulate. Where frazil ice accumulates, it is likely to cause a restriction of water flow downstream, resulting in a rise of water and possible flooding behind the frazil ice build-up.

Residents and businesses along the shores of the Otonabee River and Kawartha Lakes are strongly encouraged by Otonobee Conservation to keep a close watch for frazil ice generation, accumulation and jamming, and to take action to limit or prevent damages due to potential flooding.

This flood watch will expire Jan. 19 unless updated earlier.

Water levels can be monitored online at:

• Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet

• Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data 

• Otonabee Region Conservation Authority website

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Significant Rainfall Causes Temporary Partial Bypass at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

UPDATE: The temporary partial bypass is over as of 3:25 p.m. Anyone using water from the Otonabee river downstream of the City of Peterborough Wasterwater Treatment Plant should exercise caution for the next 24 hours.

The City of Peterborough issued a statement saying significant rainfall has caused a temporary partial bypass at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday has caused a significantly increased volume of water to enter the Wastewater Treatment Plant. As a result of the current conditions, the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant has had to start a temporary, partial bypass.

This means that some partially treated sewage is being discharged to the Otonabee River.

Residents downstream of the City of Peterborough who draw water from the river are advised to take necessary precautions and boil water. The boil water advisory does not affect the City of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough asks residents to reduce water consumption to help alleviate the volume of water flowing through the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Residents can reduce their water consumption by taking short showers instead of baths, limiting or delaying loads of laundry and turning off taps while brushing teeth and doing dishes.

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Flood Watch Issued in Peterborough and Area

A flood watch has been issued to the City of Peterborough and surrounding municipalities by Otonabee Conservation, on Wednesday.

Rainfall on Lansdowne Street, Wednesday. Photo by Davin Tuan Bui.

Municipalities that may be affected are Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills.

From Wednesday - Thursday a moisture-laden low-pressure system and associated cold front is moving through our Region. The system will bring widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms.

Heavy downpours are expected to deliver as much as 15-20 mm in one hour. Total rainfall amounts are expected to be in the order of 40-60mm on Wednesday and another 20 mm on Thursday. Higher amounts are possible due to thunderstorms. Some lingering rainfall may continue over the weekend, but the main concern is heavy downpours and thunderstorms expected Wednesday and Thursday.

Heavy downpours and thunderstorms can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and low-lying areas. Localized flooding is possible. As a minimum, higher than normal water levels and flows can be expected in lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and wetlands, especially in the vicinity of culverts and bridges.

Higher than normal water levels and flows will continue over the weekend as the significant rainfall receipts of today and tomorrow flush through local waterways.

Residents are advised to be extremely cautious around all local lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks because shorelines/riverbanks will be slippery and could be undercut, and currents will be strong. Road-side ditches, wetlands and other low-lying areas may experience unsafe ponding conditions.

Dams and other water control/water conveyance structures are especially dangerous and should always be avoided.

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Peterborough & Kawarthas Receives Great Recognition At Water Canada’s Water's Next Awards

Peterborough and the Kawarthas received great recognition at the Water’s Next Awards on June 11th during an event that was held virtually from Ottawa, hosted by Water Canada and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA).

Innovation Cluster President John Gillis took the award in the Business Leader category, for using his time and knowledge to give back to the cleantech community through his work at the Innovation Cluster.

“I was completely surprised, shocked, as well as totally humbled on receiving this award,” says Gillis. “Clean technology and water tech is a passion of mine and will continue to work with all our associate groups in the region, like Peterborough and Kawartha Economic Development, City of Kawartha Lakes, Trent University, Fleming College CAWT, CleanTech Commons, City of Peterborough and all the work we do here at the Innovation Cluster to support startups in the CleanTech environment.”

John Gillis

In the Projects and Technology category, local company and Innovation Cluster alumni Aclarus Ozone took the award. Aclarus aims to provide a practical, affordable system for the complete treatment of rain water and green roof run off water for non-potable reuse without chemicals.

Peterborough was recognized again as Chris Metcalfe of Trent University was nominated in the Academic Leader category for his focus on his research on the distribution and toxic effects of contaminants in the environment.

PUTTING PETERBOROUGH ON THE MAP

Peterborough & the Kawarthas is known for the successful and innovative individuals and companies that are helping to put this destination on the map as a hub for clean technology.

In 2018, Water Canada named Peterborough the best place in Ontario and second in Canada to grow a watertech startup.

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The Dam At Scotts Mills Lock 19 Is Being Replaced, Construction Starting In Spring

Following an in-depth planning and design process, Parks Canada and partners at Public Service and Procurement Canada will move forward with construction to replace the dam at Scotts Mills Lock 19 this spring.

This project is part of a $125 million investment in Parks Canada assets in the City of Peterborough, through a five year program of infrastructure work across Parks Canada sites. Engineering inspections have demonstrated that the current dam at Lock 19 is nearing the end of its useful life. 

Photo of Lock 19 courtesy Parks Canada

The Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 will be fully replaced with a new dam that respects the historic look of the site and has a life expectancy of more than 80 years. The new dam will optimize hydraulic capacity, increase the safety of water management operations, and be constructed in a way that allows improved access for maintenance activities.

The replacement of the dam at Lock 19 holds logistical challenges due to its location in an urban area. To manage this challenge, Parks Canada purchased four properties adjacent to the dam on the east side to use for construction staging. During the project, this space may be used to store materials, manoeuvre machinery and access the construction site.

Unique to many construction projects on the Trent-Severn Waterway, Parks Canada must maintain an ability to manage water through the dam during construction to mitigate the risk of flooding upstream and downstream of the dam, and within the City of Peterborough. For this reason, the dam will be constructed in phases, and construction will be scheduled to maximize flow capacity during the spring melt.

Residents can expect construction noise and increased construction traffic during the project.

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