What is causing observed water level fluctuations in Gull Lake? An examination of the impacts of three weather parameters on lake water levels

What is causing observed water level fluctuations in Gull Lake? An examination of the impacts of three weather parameters on lake water levels

Corkery, Catherine

Gull Lake Cottagers Association

Sager, Eric
Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies

TP-616

2010

U-Links Office and online

Gull Lake, Minden Hills

Hydrology
Geography
Environmental Science / Studies
Water Science

The Trent-Severn Waterway, hereby referred to as TSW, is an expanse of freshwater, traveling 386km from Trenton, south central Ontario to Port Severn, which is located on Georgian Bay (Parks Canada 2007). It is commonly used for navigation by boats and for many other water-related recreational activities all year round. One portion of this complex system is the Gull River watershed, part of which consists of Gull Lake, located in Minden, Ontario. Gull Lake is a reservoir lake, meaning simply that it receives water from other lakes and other sources such as spring runoff (Parks Canada 2007). It is used recreationally by many people, and consists of a healthy population of cottagers. Two dams flow into Gull Lake. They are Little Bob, running in from Bob Lake, and Workman Falls Dam, which according to a TSW official, does not have a significant effect on the water levels of Gull Lake. Water runs out of Gull Lake via two other dams. With one situated on either side of Highway 35, they are known as dams 1 and 2, and they both flow out at Moores Falls. In recent years however, residents of Gull Lake have noticed extreme fluctuations in its water levels. This has raised concern regarding their shoreline environment. Specifically, each spring, periods of extreme declines in the water levels, to the point where their beaches become dry, are becoming increasingly frequent. The purpose of this report is to examine what factors are most likely to be causing the observed water level fluctuations, and with this information, the goal is to determine the best measures to take to prevent further shoreline damage, or any other predicted issues linked to water level concern.

Trent University