October 30, 2025

The RRCA’s Water Response Team has declared a Low Water Level 3 status for the RRCA’s watershed jurisdiction on October 30, 2025. A Level 3 can be declared when flows are less than 30 percent of their normal summer low flow and/or precipitation has been less than 40 percent of average. There can also be potential for economic harm to water users and/or significant harm to the ecosystem.

The RRCA monitors stream flows and precipitation data at gauges strategically placed throughout its jurisdiction in the City of Cornwall and Townships of South Glengarry, North Glengarry, South Stormont, and North Stormont. While data records on October 30 indicated that overall precipitation in October (i.e., 52.2 mm) was approximately half the historical normal average normal amount for October (i.e., 87.7 mm), monthly flows are currently below 30 percent of normal. Water Response Team members – local representatives from municipal and provincial governments and other interest-holders – also shared documented reports of private residential wells having gone dry and observations of dried-up streams not typically dry this time of year. 

The RRCA jurisdiction first entered a Low Water status Level 1 this year on August 12, moving to Level 2 on September 18. Residents and businesses are now asked to reduce their water consumption as much as possible, whether they are connected to municipal water supplies or to a private well. Residents are encouraged to check their municipality’s website to be aware of any municipal water conservation or fire bylaws in effect.

The RRCA will continue to monitor stream flows and precipitation as part of the Ontario Low Water Response Program and will provide updates as conditions change. For more information visit rrca.on.ca/LowWater or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.

Water User Feedback Form

To help the RRCA better understand the impacts of this year’s weather, residents experiencing difficulties with their own water supplies are invited to contact the RRCA through a brief online feedback form at rrca.on.ca/LowWater.