Hatch Energy studied ways to improve the water management capabilities of the Trent Severn Waterway, specifically with relation to the operation of water control structures in the Haliburton Lakes area.

Tasks included an audit of the present operating policy, which reviewed the past performance of TSW in relation to maintenance of water levels on the navigable waterway lakes and conserving water on the upstream reservoir lakes. An audit of control structures and data acquisition/processing methods as well as updating and validation of the Trent operational model, a multireservoir computer simulation model were also completed.

Changes that were considered included the modification of minimum downstream flow constraints and/or drawdown limits on reservoir lakes to enhance summer water levels; timing of lake drawdown to facilitate trout spawning and drawdown on reservoir lakes, prior to spring freshet to enhance flood handling capability.