THE INFLUENCE OF DRAW‐DOWN ON RECREATION ON THE TRENT CANAL RESERVOIR‐LAKES1

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Water‐based outdoor recreation constitutes an important benefit in many multiple‐use projects. One problem frequently encountered, however, is the fluctuation of the water‐level in a reservoir, especially if draw‐downs occur during the summer recreation season. The Trent Canal in Ontario, Canada, forms a unique recreation waterway of some 240 miles of canal and navigable lakes and rivers. For the control of the water in the canal, the Canadian Federal government manages 44 reservoir‐lakes as water‐storage sites to augment the flows in the canal. While most disputes in water allocation for recreation generally involve recreation uses versus other, non‐recreation uses, in the case of the Trent Canal and its reservoir‐lakes the dispute in water allocation exists between two competing recreation‐uses: for recreation boating on the Canal and its waterway, and for recreation use of the reservoir‐lakes. Each use has its own duty‐of‐water in terms of requirements, or water conditions, for its optimum use. On the reservoir‐lakes, by far the largest recreation user‐group, is made up of the owners of private shoreline summer cottages (cabins). Draw‐downs on the reservoir‐lakes, in some cases as much as 13 feet, hence constitute a negative externality imposed by the canal, especially since water‐level lowering takes place continuously throughout the summer. In‐depth interviews conducted with over 100 cottage‐owners indicate four main conclusions. First, the previous user assumptions of the extent of the negative effect of water‐level fluctuation on recreation had been exaggerated. Only in extreme draw‐downs during infrequent dry years would draw‐down constitute a serious imposition. Second, water‐level fluctuation does constitute a form of inconvenience to the private riparian recreation property owners, but it does not generally reduce the quantity of recreation use of the reservoir‐lakes. Third, there is evidence that reservoir‐lake users have learned to adapt successfully to water‐level draw‐downs. Fourth, the shoreline physiography of the location of a riparian owner strongly influences the way in which draw‐down affects attitudes and opinions. The complex jurisdictional split of the land and water resources of the region points to the need to establish a Trent Canal Authority, to oversee the proper use and development of the canal, its waterway, and the reservoir‐lakes.