Drought Hazard in Ontario: A Review of Impacts, 1960–1989, and Management Implications

Abstract

It was found that drought can have varying effects on diverse water uses in Ontario. Sectors which rely heavily on direct precipitation and soil moisture are more readily impacted by localized droughts of relatively short duration which tend to occur in Ontario almost every year. Those sectors relying on less ephemeral warer resources, such as surface and groundwater sources, are primarily impacted by longer, more severe, and less frequent drought episodes. Sensitivity to drought partially relates to the stability and size of the water supply, the amount and timing of water demand, and the sector's ability to absorb economic impacts

Drought Research in Canada: A Review

“…Droughts in southern Ontario and Quebec are usually shorter in duration, smaller in area, less frequent and less intense. Nonetheless, some major droughts occurred during the twentieth century (e.g., Klaassen, 2002) resulting in severe impacts, including low water levels in the Great Lakes (Gabriel and Kreutzwiser, 1993;Brotton, 1995). Droughts in the Atlantic Provinces occur even less often; however, this reduced frequency has generally resulted in lower adaptive capacity, thus making the region more susceptible to the impacts of drought (Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 2001).…”

Käyttöveden riittävyys ja laatu maatalouden suurissa tuotantoyksiköissä

“…Eniten kuivuudesta kärsivät haja-asutusalueella olevat pohjavesikaivojen käyttäjät (Piirainen 2004). Monet maatilat saattavat kärsiä kuivuudesta, ellei niillä ole vaihtoehtoista vesilähdettä käytettävissään (Gabriel & Kreutzwiser 1993). Suuri osa maatiloista joutuu vesipulan aikana säännöstelemään veden käyttöä, esim.…”

“…Kuivuus voi vaikuttaa pohjaveden määrään ja lisätä veden tarvetta maatalouden eri tuotantovaiheissa (Kampbell et al 2003). Jos viljelijöillä ei ole vaihtoehtoista vesilähdettä käytettävissään, on veden käyttöä säännösteltävä (Gabriel & Kreutzwiser 1993). Kampbellin et al (2003) tutkimuksen mukaan kuiva ajanjakso saattaa lisätä pohjaveden pilaantumisriskiä.…”

DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES: STATUS, PROGRESS, AND OPPORTUNITIES1

“…Notably, with the exception of water rate ordinances, many of these ordinances were enacted between five and 15 years ago. The widespread and severe 1988 drought (Gabriel and Kreutzwiser, 1993) may be one factor; other factors may include a growing recognition of the need to use water efficiently, and perhaps the influence of time on respondent recall.…”

“…This is not surprising, in view of the very low utilization reported by Kreutzwiser and Feagan (1989), as noted above. The 1988 drought, which created crisis conditions in some municipalities (Gabriel and Kreutzwiser, 1993;Kreutzwiser, 1996), no doubt prompted an increased interest in municipal water conservation. It also should be noted that over the last six years, the Province of Ontario has shifted from a system of water and wastewater infrastructure grants to municipalities, to one based more on loans.…”