With no rain until Monday in weather forecasts, it is expected that the drought status for the Rideau River watershed will pass the threshold from Minor to Moderate Severity by Sunday. The amount of rain forecast for Monday will do little to reverse the trend of deepening drought.

Flows in the Rideau River at Ottawa are 15% of normal for the time of year. Larger tributary streams are about 6% of normal and many small streams are intermittent or dry. Aquatic habitat is becoming limited for all species.

The precipitation indicator for Moderate Drought of 60% of normal was reached last Sunday. Rainfall since then has had a minimal impact and conditions remain very dry.

Flows in the Rideau River at Ottawa are at 25% of normal for the time of year. Two of the major tributary streams, Jock River and Kemptville Creek, are both flowing at about 6% of normal. The Tay River is in relatively better shape benefitting from outflow from Bobs Lake, one of the Rideau Canal reservoir lakes. Smaller streams are intermittent or dry and aquatic habitat is compromised for all species.

Sporadic and random rainfall over the last week was not enough to bring the Rideau River watershed out of the Severe Drought status reached in mid-August

Previous rain in August did cause flows and levels to increase but only for a brief period. With rain coming in small cells that affected very limited areas, levels have quickly declined again. Forecast for this week has a total of 20 millimetres possible that will not have a significant impact.

PLANS 

RVCA 2020 Flood Contingency Plan 

FACTSHEETS

After the Flood: Frequently Asked Questions of the Conservation Aluthority and the Ottawa Septic System Office

What Should You Do If You Are At Risk Of Flooding?

Cleaning Up After the Flood Proper Handling and Disposal of Sandbags

LINKS

City of Ottawa: Flood Information

Get Prepared

Ottawa River Water Levels

Environment Canada Flood Forecasting Centres Across Canada

Emergency Management Ontario

Public Safety Canada — Floods in Canada

Government of Canada Self-help Brochure: Floods — What to do Before and After

Conservation Ontario — Flood Facts Fact Sheet

VIDEOS

A New Type of River Management is Coming!
Early Spring Water Safety (Source: Quinte Conservation)

Feeling the impact of a drought in the Rideau Valley? Any individuals or businesses experiencing problems due to low water are encouraged to contact the Water Response Team to help us track and understand local conditions.

Email us using the Subject: Drought Impacts.
Include the following details in your email:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your phone number and
• comments how the drought is impacting you.

Links

Low Water Response Program — How the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Manages Water use During a Drought 

Tips on How To Manage your Water Well in Times of Water Shortage 

Dry Conditions and Low Water 

Tips — How to Conserve Water

• Filling wells with surface water, or potable water is not recommended. Installing a holding tank that links to a household system, and filling that with potable water is a better option.
• Removing water from streams and lakes for watering lawns or gardens may cause problems for other users.

In the yard

• Brown grass is only dormant, not dead. Grass only needs 25 mm of water each week to do well, any more can weaken the roots.
• 20 L (5 gal) of water once a week will help trees survive dry conditions.
• Don't water lawns and gardens when a municipal water shortage warning is in effect.
• If you must water, only water gardens and lawns once a week, no more than one inch in total, including rain.
• Avoid watering on windy days and water your lawn and plants in the morning — evaporation occurs at a slower rate than if you watered in the hot sun.
• Cut grass less frequently and cut grass higher as it reduces evaporation and increases moisture.
• Collect and use rainwater for your lawn and gardens — it's free and better for your plants than municipally supplied water or well water. Consider buying a rain barrel.
• Plant drought resistant plants — convert your lawns to low-care perennials.

Your car

• Don't wash your car when a municipal water shortage warning is in effect.
• Use commercial car washes that recycle their water.
• If you do wash your car, do it on the lawn. Use a bucket of soapy water and the bare minimum to rinse it off.

In the kitchen

• Rinse fruits and vegetables by putting a little water in the sink or a bowl instead of running water.
• When hand washing dishes, plug the drain and do them all at once.
• Run the dishwasher with full loads only.
• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave, not under running water.
• For cold water to drink, keep a jug in the fridge instead of running the tap.

In the bathroom

• Install a low-flush toilet or install a toilet dam in your toilet tank to reduce water use.
• Keep showers to five minutes or less.
• Consider buying a water efficient showerhead.
• If you must take a bath, fill the tub with only the amount of water really needed to clean yourself (1/4 full).
• When cleaning your teeth, don’t keep the tap running, use a glass to rinse. Rinsing a toothbrush under a tap wastes about 4,000 litres of water a year.
• Replace all leaky tap washers, they can waste more than 400 litres of water a day. Repair all leaks in pipes and toilets as well.

Laundry

• Wash clothes only when you have a full load.

Our low flow index has four stages:

Normal

No low flow or drought conditions exist.

Minor

This category reflects concern.
80% to 60% of long-term average precipitation for 540 day and/or 90 day precipitation totals and/or 7-day average streamflows less than the 5 year return period low flow.

Moderate

This category suggests a potentially serious problem is pending.
60% to 40% of long-term average precipitation for 540, 90 and/or 30 day precipitation totals and/or 7-day average streamflows less than the 10 year return period low flow.

Severe

This category indicates a failure of the water supply to meet demand.
Less than 40% of long-term average precipitation for 540, 90 and/or 30 day precipitation totals and/or 7-day average streamflows less than the 10 year return period low flow.

Click here for the RVCA's Watershed Conditions Statements.

Fresh water is a natural resource critical to the economic and environmental well being of all residents of the Rideau Valley. Periods of dry, hot weather and low water levels were relatively uncommon — happening every decade or so. But, with changing weather patterns, low water levels may occur more often, especially with the increasing demand for water.

The Government of Ontario has developed the Ontario Low Water Response Plan, which ensures that the province is prepared for low water conditions in the future. The response plan helps co-ordinate and support local response in the event of drought. The local teams are established in areas experiencing low water conditions so that the local community can carry out actions to reduce and better manage water use.

The Rideau Valley Water Response Team, co-ordinated by RVCA, is made up of representatives of water users: member municipalities, farmers, businesses, recreation and others. The Low Water Response Team communicates when necessary to review stream flow information and weather forecasts. Based on the information, the committee may declare a low water condition for the watershed.

Low water affects:

• municipal sources
• private wells
• lakes, rivers, ponds and all the residents in those waters
• agriculture — irrigation, watering livestock
• fire fighting
• business and industrial uses
• recreation (boating, fishing, swimming)
• personal use — drinking, washing, laundry, etc.

Members of the Rideau Watershed Low Water Response Team

• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests
• Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
• Parks Canada - Rideau Canal
• Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
• Watershed municipalities

Municipalities are responsible for emergency response services during serious flood events. Please contact your local municipality should you have local flooding issues where assistance is needed:

Some built-up areas of the regulated floodplain are more vulnerable than others. RVCA staff have identified a number of Flood Vulnerable Areas throughout the watershed (see map and table). Knowing if you live in a vulnerable area will help you prepare for flooding.

Rideau River:

• in the area between Rideau Falls and Cummings Bridge downtown City of Ottawa
• in the vicinity of Brantwood Park, Windsor Park and Brewer Park in the City of Ottawa 
• parts of rural City of Ottawa including near the Carleton Golf & Yacht Club, parts of the Village of Kars, Lorne Bridge Road, in the vicinity of James Island, Reevecraig, and the Fairmile subdivision
• Mapleshore Drive in North Grenville Township
• Little Chesterville and Arcand developments
• Hilly Lane and Cedar Beach Lane in Kemptville
• Rideau Glen and Becketts Landing in North Grenville Township

Jock River:

• parts of the Village of Richmond including areas on the tributaries (Van Gaal Drain, Flowing Creek, Bypass Drain)

Stevens Creek:

• parts of the Village of North Gower and areas downstream

Kemptville Creek:

• parts of the Township of North Grenville between Kemptville and the Rideau River

Tay River:

• within the Town of Perth and areas upstream to Glen Tay

Detailed neighbouhood flood maps are available for select City of Ottawa communities here.

Click here for the RVCA's Watershed Conditions Statements. Click here for RVCA real-time flows and water levels.

For water levels and flows on the Ottawa River visit the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board