Without a lot of rain, it’ll take a while before Lake Victoria gets fully replenished.
That’s from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority in their newest update on filling up the lake.
As of this Tuesday, the lake has risen 600 centimetres since staff removed debris from one of the RT Orr Dam Sluice Gates last month.
UPDATED: Debris cleared away, sluice gate closed…how about some rain? – My Stratford Now
The authority says the rise will be slow going as the lake surface area gets bigger.
“Inflows from the Avon River are likely declining as well, making it even more challenging,” said the conservation authority.
“Flows at most stream gauges across the watershed have been declining, due to the prolonged dry spell.”
The authority says without a significant amount of rainfall, it will be “difficult to forecast how quickly it can be filled.”
This process comes as staff had to lower the lake’s water levels in late-July so they could safely remove debris that prevented the gate from fully closing.
The authority adds while there is some rain in the forecasts, the amounts aren’t likely enough to build the runoff needed to fill the lake.
Staff are still working on this issue while maintaining flows downstream.
