The Grand River Conservation Authority has broadened water
conservation measures to cover the entire watershed.
Until now the Level 2 status applied only to water taken
along the lower Grand River roughly around Brantford to Simcoe.
That meant farmers drawing irrigation water for crops such
as tobacco and produce were urged to reduce consumption by 10 per cent.
Whiteman Creek is often the first to reach Level 2 status.
The declaration came hours before scattered thunderstorms
began entering the watershed. The showers are forecast to fall in a
hit-and-miss pattern for several days.
The Grand River Conservation Authority is far from the only
one urging conservation this summer.
The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority declared Level 1
status on July 22, affecting farmers from St. Thomas to Lake Erie.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is at “low
water” status. That covers a large area roughly north of London to Lake Huron.
Further north, towards Sarnia, the St. Clair River
Conservation Authority reports normal water levels.
There are some corn fields on sandy land west of Kitchener that have not only curled leaves, but are
entirely brown.
