Trent-Severn Waterway Conflicts

Abstract

Whenever a large number of different activities are based upon a single resource, conflicts are inevitable. The Trent-Severn system of dams controlling the water levels and flows in a large recreational area is jusr such a siEuaEion. Whitewater canoeing requires flow to be taken from reservoir headwater lakes while cottaging on these lakes is enhanced when the water level remains high. Lock operation with adequate advertised draught through the navigation route, as planned and designed for, requires that evaporation losses from canal route lakes be replaced with water from the reservoir lakes, also detrimental to the reservoir cottager.