(WCS – R06/2024)
April 15, 2024 – A Flood Outlook Statement is being issued for the Upper Rideau Valley Watershed.

Since early April, two large weather systems have brought between 60 to 90 mm of precipitation across the Rideau Valley Watershed. The highest precipitation amounts (90 mm) fell across the Upper Rideau Valley Watershed near Bob’s and Christie Lakes and the Tay River. The weather forecast indicates another 10 to 15 mm of precipitation for the next week.

The significant precipitation received since early April has resulted in increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. 

Based on the above, a FLOOD OUTLOOK is being issued for the properties around Bobs and Christie Lakes in the Upper Rideau Valley Watershed. The water levels are expected to exceed full supply levels by this coming weekend and may result in flooding for low-lying areas. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. Operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will take place as required to balance the levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.  

Residents in low-lying areas near Bobs and Christie Lakes that are historically susceptible to flooding should take the necessary precautions to protect their property, such as:

• Ensuring sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve 
• Ensuring easy access to a portable backup generator and pump
• Ensuring downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 metres from the dwelling 
• Securing items that might float away as flows increase 
• Removing valuable items from basements or lower floors that could be subject to flooding
• Keeping emergency phone numbers handy
• Familiarizing yourself with your municipality’s Emergency Preparedness Plan

With the elevated conditions, potential exists for further impacts if significant additional rain were to occur before the water levels and flows begin to recede.

Extreme caution should be exercised by everyone when near local waterbodies. Parents should inform their children of the risks and provide appropriate supervision. Pets should be leashed near all bodies of water. 

This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 5 PM unless the forecast or conditions change.

-end-

More Information:

Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141

www.rvca.ca/watershed-conditions

"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed 
created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and
natural resource conservation."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements: 

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.
• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

Water Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook — Lower Ottawa River

April 14, 2024 — A Flood Outlook Statement is being issued for areas along the Lower Ottawa River (Arnprior to Hawkesbury). 

Based on a large weather system from Texas that brought 15 to 75 mm of precipitation over much of the Ottawa River basin between April 11 and 13, levels and flows along the Ottawa River have begun increasing due to spring runoff. Residents along the shores of the Lower Ottawa River should be aware that throughout the spring freshet period water levels can rise rapidly at times and cause minor flooding in low-lying areas.

Rising water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River could create possible flooding in low-lying areas over the coming weeks. Low-lying areas are those areas that are regularly flooded during the spring freshet period.

The snow has now melted across much of the Ottawa River watershed. While the absence of snow in a large portion of the basin reduces the risk of significant flooding, it is important to remember that spring water levels depend also on the timing and amount of rainfall during the months of April and May. Weather conditions that bring heavy rainfall events can only be known a few days in advance. 

Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow changing conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children and provide appropriate supervision around all waterbodies. 

The Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities monitor water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.

The Ottawa River Secretariat will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates online: www.ottawariver.ca/forecasts. 

To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit: 
www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program 

This FLOOD OUTLOOK STATEMENT is in effect until May 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
Brian Stratton
RVCA Manager Engineering Services
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141

Definitions:

• Water Conditions Statement: Water Safety: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.

• Water Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions.

• Flood Watch: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities.

• Flood Warning: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.

-end- 

Risque de crue – Cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais

Le 14 avril 2024 — Un communiqué de risque de crue est émis pour les régions situées le long du cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais (d'Arnprior à Hawkesbury).      

D'après un vaste système météorologique provenant du Texas qui a apporté de 15 à 75 mm de précipitations sur une grande partie du bassin de la rivière des Outaouais entre le 11 et le 13 avril, les niveaux et les débits le long de la rivière des Outaouais ont commencé à augmenter en raison de la crue printanière. Les résidents sur les rives du cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais doivent savoir que pendant la période de la crue printanière, les niveaux d'eau peuvent parfois augmenter rapidement et provoquer des inondations mineures dans les zones basses. 

La hausse des niveaux de l‘eau le long du cours principal de la rivière des Outaouais pourrait créer des inondations dans les zones basses au cours des prochaines semaines. Les zones basses sont les zones qui sont régulièrement inondées pendant la période de la crue printanière.

La neige a maintenant fondu dans une grande partie du bassin versant de la rivière des Outaouais. Même si l’absence de neige dans une grande partie du bassin réduit le risque d’inondations importantes, il est important de rappeler que les niveaux d’eau du printemps dépendent également du moment et de la quantité des précipitations au cours des mois d’avril et de mai. Les conditions météorologiques qui entraînent de fortes précipitations ne peuvent être connues que quelques jours à l’avance.

Les résidents des zones inondables sont invités à suivre de près l’évolution des conditions et à prendre les mesures nécessaires. Il est conseillé aux résidents de ne pas s'approcher des cours d'eau dont le débit est élevé et dont les berges peuvent être instables. On demande aux parents d'expliquer ces dangers à leurs enfants et d'assurer une surveillance appropriée autour des cours d'eau.  

Les offices de protection de la nature de la vallée de la Mississippi, de la vallée de la Rideau et de la Nation Sud surveillent les niveaux d'eau et les prévisions météorologiques avec le ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts dans le cadre du programme de prévision et d'alerte des crues. Des mises à jour sont émises au fur et à mesure que les conditions changent.

Le Secrétariat pour la régularisation de la rivière des Outaouais réévaluera les conditions prévues et fournira des mises à jour des conditions hydrologiques sur son site Web : www.rivieredesoutaouais.ca/previsions/.

Pour consulter les avertissements de crues actuels à travers l'Ontario, visitez :
www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/webapps/swmc/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program/fr/.

Ce COMMUNIQUÉ DE RISQUE DE CRUE est en vigueur jusqu’au 6 mai 2024 à 17 h.

-end-   

POUR PLUS D’INFORMATIONS : 

Brian Stratton
RVCA Manager Engineering Services
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 poste 1141

Définitions :

• Communiqué sur les conditions des bassins versants – Sécurité aquatique : indique que des débits forts, de la glace fondante ou d’autres facteurs peuvent être dangereux pour des utilisateurs comme les plaisanciers, les pêcheurs à la ligne et les baigneurs, mais qu’une crue n’est pas prévue.

• Communiqué sur les conditions des bassins versants – Perspective de crue :préavis de crue possible basé sur des prévisions de pluies abondantes, de fonte des neiges, de forts vents ou autre.

• Veille de crue :possibilité de crue pour des cours d’eau et municipalités spécifiques.

• Avertissement de crue : crue immimente ou en cours pour des cours d’eau et
  municipalités spécifiques.

(WCS – R05/2024)
April 3, 2024 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is issuing a WATER SAFETY message for the entire Rideau Valley Watershed.

A Colorado Low is expected to bring significant precipitation to the region, starting Wednesday, April 3 and lasting through Thursday, April 4. The precipitation will fall as a mix of snow and rain. Exact amounts are unknown, but up to 30 mm of rain and up to 20 cm of snow is possible. Currently, water levels and flows are generally low and soil moisture levels are also low across the Rideau Valley watershed.

While significant flooding is not anticipated, water levels and flows in all waterways are expected to increase, especially in the smaller tributaries and streams.

Extreme caution should be exercised by everyone when near local waterbodies. Parents should inform their children of the risks and provide appropriate supervision. Pets should be leashed near all bodies of water. 

This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 5 PM unless the forecast or conditions change.

-end-

More Information:

Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141

www.rvca.ca/watershed-conditions

"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed 
created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and
natural resource conservation."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements: 

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.
• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.