NL Hydro says its water management and production planning teams are closely monitoring the province’s inland water systems in the wake of two unusually dry summer seasons.
Historically low water levels are being reported on a number of major lakes in central and western Newfoundland including Beothuk Lake, which is part of the Exploits water system and Grand Lake which is part of the Humber River water system.
Lakebed exposed, Grand Lake, October 2025 (Derek Murphy)
Water levels on Beothuk Lake are about 22 feet below normal, while water levels on Grand Lake are so low, Howley resident Derek Murphy estimates that the water line has receded approximately half a kilometer from the shoreline in some areas.
Eastern End of Grand Lake just outside “The Narrows” Ocotber 2025 (Derek Murphy)
NL Hydro says inflows have been below the historical average for May through September of 2025 – similar to the same period in 2024. Inflows were 62 per cent below average for the period in 2025 versus 63 per cent below average in 2024.
The utility can draw from the Labrador-Island and Maritime links when reservoirs are low. Two units at the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station have also returned to service in anticipation of increased cold-weather power demand.
