The Waterway, including its tributary lakes and rivers, is an important economic, environmental and recreational resource used by thousands of boaters, shoreline residents, businesses and vacationers every year. It also provides water for power generation, municipal water supplies, and agriculture and supports a tremendous variety of fish and wildlife.

The Water Management Program on the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) is charged with the complex task of maintaining safe navigation along the canal system through the changing conditions of the seasons while accommodating other uses.

We all enjoyed that long, hot, dry summer, but what many of us don’t realize is it’s a double edge sword. Enjoy those rainy days when they come – the rainfall keeps our lake levels up. Throughout the Trent-Severn watershed we’re highly dependent on Mother Nature to fuel the system....

View graphs showing the daily water levels of each lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway, as well as historic high and historic low water levels. These graphs are updated daily providing you with accurate, near "real time" information. You can also find information about the Trent-Severn Waterway water management program.

The Water Management Advisory Council provides expert and stakeholder advice on how Parks Canada can best carry out its responsibilities for water management throughout the Trent and Severn River watershed, and achieve an appropriate balance for its water management goals.

In April 2010, a workshop was held involving planners from watershed municipalities, counties, conservation authorities, provincial ministries, and federal departments and agencies throughout the Trent and Severn River watersheds.  At this workshop, Parks Canada introduced the idea of an assessment of current shoreline planning policy, regulation, and coordination.  A small advisory group was formed of federal, provincial, municipal and conservation authority representatives to assist with the assessment.  This assessment culminated with a report, Shoreline Policy and Regulation: Review and Recommendations, whose preparation was coordinated by Parks Canada.  The report was finalized in February 2011 following a second workshop in December 2010.  To-date, the advisory group together with representatives from a cross-section of municipalities, ministries and agencies have been combining efforts to implement key recommendations, focussing on model shoreline policies, coordinated review of development proposals, and clarifying jurisdiction on either side of the shoreline.

The objective of this document is to provide clear direction for the construction of in-water and shoreline works and related activities normally associated with the development and use of waterfront properties for residential purposes adjacent to the Rideau Canal and Trent–Severn Waterway National Historic Sites of Canada.