(WCS-LW - 1/2023)
July 11, 2023 – Following a period of dry and hot weather, the Rideau Valley Low Water Response Team is declaring a MINOR low water status for the Tay River and Rideau Lakes watersheds (referred to as Upper Rideau Valley watershed), after officials met to discuss current watershed conditions on Monday, July 10, 2023.

Upper Rideau Valley watershed residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent. This is especially important for those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources and all residents on private, communal or municipal wells. The requested voluntary water use reduction does not apply to residents of urban Ottawa because the City of Ottawa central drinking water system draws from the Ottawa River. All residents throughout the Rideau Valley watershed should be aware of any bans or bylaws that may be in place in their municipalities regarding watering or fire bans.

Over the last couple of months, rainfall amounts have been quite variable across the Rideau Valley watershed with some areas receiving above normal precipitation (urban Ottawa) but many other areas receiving limited rainfall. In general, the average 90-day rainfall measured at climate stations in the upper Rideau Valley watershed has been below 80 per cent of normal for this time of year which represents “minor” low water severity. Stream flow values for all regulated waterways (augmented from the reservoir lakes in the Tay River watershed) range from 60 to 70 per cent of normal for this time of year. Natural system stream flow values range from 30 to 50 per cent of normal for this time of year.

Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels throughout the Rideau Canal system inside the Rideau Valley watershed. The water levels in the reservoir lakes (Bob’s Lake and Wolfe Lake) are currently well below normal and are expected to decline further unless significant precipitation is received soon. Rideau River flows downstream of Big Rideau Lake have been reduced to minimum when possible. Water levels in the Rideau River below Smiths Falls are within navigable ranges.

Looking ahead, the seven-day weather forecast suggests we may receive up to 25 mm of rain across the watershed. If received, these rainfall amounts would slightly improve the 90-day rainfall deficit and the low stream flow values discussed above if the rainfall is distributed across all areas of the watershed.

To better understand local conditions, landowners, businesses, and industries are encouraged to contact Brian Stratton by email () if they are experiencing any unusual water-related problems. 

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Updates to this message will be issued as conditions warrant. 

More resources:

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-environment-conservation-parks

Ontario’s Low Water Response program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program 

RVCA website: www.rvca.ca

Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels 

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More Information:
Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141

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.

RIDEAU VALLEY, June 6, 2023 — New accessible infrastructure, expanded septic services, a new clean water program and the planting of our 7 millionth tree: the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) accomplished all this and more in 2022. 

The RVCA provides conservation-led programs and services based on a watershed-wide model serving 18 member municipalities along the Rideau River and its tributaries. Our wide-ranging programs cover a huge geographic area of more than 4,000 km², from Central Frontenac to Merrickville-Wolford and downriver to the City of Ottawa. Through science, stewardship and education, the RVCA strives to manage local natural resources sustainably to ensure a healthy watershed for the future.

A newly-released 2022 annual report highlights RVCA’s many accomplishments over the year, including:

• 317,000 people visited RVCA conservation areas in 2022 (up from 200,000 annually pre-pandemic)
• 6,783 students participated in outdoor education programs at Baxter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas
• 2 accessible bridge projects begun at our most popular conservation areas (1 each at Baxter and Chapman Mills conservation areas)
• 239,595 trees planted (7 million planted since 1984)
• 10,127 trees and shrubs planted on 69 waterfront properties
• 3,687m² of invasive species removed during 12 volunteer removal events
• 1,392 Planning Act applications reviewed
• 353 Section 28 applications processed under the Conservation Authorities Act
• 734 septic system applications processed for new or replacement septic systems across nine municipalities
• 117 sites sampled for water quality on lakes, rivers and major tributaries
• 196 Clean Water Projects completed in partnership with landowners
• 2,050 healthy butternut seedlings distributed to help replace dead and dying butternut trees in Eastern Ontario 
• Restoration continued at the Stillwater Wetland Complex (Nepean) and the Hutton Creek Marsh Wetland (Lombardy) 

Staff also met strict approval and customer service goals, issuing 99% of Section 28 permits within provincial timelines and issuing most septic permits within half the provincial timelines.

“Staff work tirelessly to ensure the watershed is healthy and thriving for all who call it home,” said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, RVCA General Manager. “We are extremely proud of our municipally-supported programs that look to build resilient communities in the face of climate change and population growth.”

We extend our thanks to our member municipalities, partners and volunteers who made 2022 such a success and we look forward to a productive 2023.

Download the RVCA’s 2022 Annual Report at www.rvca.ca or call 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 to request a hard copy.

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