Water Level Watch

Water levels in Severn Sound are monitored on an hourly basis at the gauge in Midland Harbour

Water level fluctuations are a natural part of the functioning of a lake, and can be caused by climate related factors such as rainfall, and timing of winter rains and spring melt. Levels in the inland lakes in the watershed are only routinely monitored when SSEA completes a water quality survey (approx. 5 year cycle). Having more frequent measurements of inland lake water levels is critical to understanding how climate variables influence lake levels.

At this time, the Water Level Watch program is only available for Farlain Lake. Through a partnership between SSEA, Township of Tiny and the Farlain Lake Community Association (FLCA), a water level gauge (below) was installed at the public boat launch on Andrew Dr in June 2019. The gauge is located just offshore of the southern boundary of the municipal park.

Volunteers can submit water level readings and photos of the gauge (to help verify observations) by email to citizenscience@severnsound.ca with “Farlain Lake water levels” in the title. Volunteers are also asked to record weather conditions (sun/cloud), whether winds are onshore or offshore, and give an estimate of wave height (calm, ripple, small, medium, large). It’s best not to record water levels when waves are larger than approx. 15 cm (6 in).

Water Level Gauge at Farlain Lake

Click on the image you can see on the left for instructions on reading the gauge. Volunteers are also asked to record weather conditions (sun/cloud), whether winds are onshore or offshore, and give an estimate of wave height (calm, ripple, small, medium, large). It’s best not to record water levels when waves are larger than approximately 15 cm (6 in). Volunteers can submit water level readings and photos of the gauge (to help verify observations) by email to citizenscience@severnsound.ca with “Farlain Lake water levels” in the title. Alternatively, you can use this form to record your data and submit it all at once at the end of the season.

Farlain Lake is unique in that it has no surface outflow, and therefore lake levels respond more drastically to climate factors. Collecting as many data points as possible will allow SSEA scientists to describe the variations in water levels over short and long time periods, and help to determine the causes of these variations, such as rainfall, particularly in the winter, and snowmelt timing. Predictions of future climate indicate an increased likelihood of longer periods of drought followed by more intense storm events, and increased rainfall in the winter months. These changes can lead to wider swings in water levels. Determining patterns in water levels on Farlain Lake will assist shoreline residents in understanding impacts of climate change on the lake, and will help inform appropriate adaptive measures.

Results

Farlain Lake Water Levels, 2019-2022 — *Compiled water level measurements from gauges installed at the Andrew Dr. public boat launch and on a volunteer’s private property.*

Tabular water level data from the gauge installed at the Andrew Dr. public boat launch.