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

Our flood warning index has four stages:

Normal

No flood conditions exist

Awareness

Be informed and aware.

1. Water Safety Statements —High flows, unsafe 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.
2. Flood Outlook Statements — Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion

Flood Watch

Be prepared to activate your flood response plans, if it becomes necessary.

Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.

Flood Warning

Activate your flood response procedures now.

Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

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

RVCA maintains a flood forecasting and warning system. Our goal is to reduce danger to people and property by providing local agencies and the public with advanced notice, information and advice so that they can respond to potential flooding and flood emergencies.

The RVCA uses stream gauges, weather stations, surveys of snow conditions, meterological forecasts and computer models to determine the potential for flooding. When spring melt or severe storms are anticipated, the Conservation Authority estimates the severity, location, and timing of possible flooding.

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

The National Capital Commission and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Team Up to Enhance Black Rapids Creek

An important wetland in the Greenbelt’s west end will soon become a bigger and better piece of nature. The National Capital Commission (NCC) will team up with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) and the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to enhance and double the size of the existing wetland in the headwaters of Black Rapids Creek.

This workshop will update participants on some of the work that has been implemented since the 2011 Eastern Ontario Headwaters workshop. Updates will include advances in policy, monitoring, research and restoration which were all core themes at the 2011 workshop. Participants will hear a range of case studies from Eastern Ontario that collectively address how to incorporate headwater management in routine management decisions, policy development, and science understanding. Participants will hear from experts from Conservation Authorities, the City of Ottawa and the private sector on local success stories.

Watershed Watch is a monitoring program on 39 lakes in our valley. The program is building a set of ambient (baseline) data that can be used to show trends and changes in the condition of the watershed lakes. It will act as an early warning system to identify trends or problems in water quality.

The water quality indicators monitored in the program are:

• Total phosphorus (deep points, shoreline)
• Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (deep points, shoreline)
• Bacteria (E.Coli) (shoreline)
• Water clarity/Secchi Depth (deep points)
• Dissolved oxygen/temperature (deep points)
• Calcium (deep point)

Over the first five years of the Watershed Watch program (2001 – 2005), 6 or 7 lakes were sampled intensively (8 times) each year at the deep points and at shoreline sites where there appeared to be possible pollution sources. The program was changed in 2006 to monitor 39 lakes 4 times a year (May thru October). Deep points are sampled 4 times a year, while shoreline sites a sampled twice a year through the summer months (June thru September).

Volunteer Opportunities:

Anyone can get involved! Join the group of residents on several lakes who volunteer their time and their boats each summer to provide on the water transportation for RVCA staff and a helping hand taking samples. Or watch for special times of the year where we need a little extra help with sampling.

Want to learn more?

Contact  to volunteer or get more information.

RVCA is proud to be part of the City Stream Watch Program. Since 2003, this program has worked with volunteers to monitor and report on information about our urban creeks and streams in the City of Ottawa.

City Stream Watch volunteers:

• conduct stream habitat assessments (physical and biological characteristics)
• sample for and identify aquatic benthic invertebrates
• participate in fish sampling sessions
• monitor stream temperatures
• remove invasive species
• assist in stream rehabilitation and shoreline restoration projects
• clean up streams to remove urban garbage

Monitoring Schedule:

Click to enlarge map

Want to learn more?

Contact:
City Stream Watch Coordinator
613-692-3571 ext. 1155

Volunteer Opportunities

The City Stream Watch is always looking for new volunteers to help monitor, protect and clean up Ottawa streams. No experience is needed and no minimum time commitment.

Sign-up to our mailing list to join our list of volunteers and receive information on City Stream Watch opportunities. You can also check out our latest events on our volunteer calendar.

Reports

View City Stream Watch Reports.

Partners:

The City Stream Watch Program is a community-based partnership which includes the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Heron Park Community Association, Ottawa Flyfishers Society, Rideau Roundtable, Canadian Forces Fish and Game Club, Ottawa Stewardship Council, City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission.

With little rain over the last two weeks, the Moderate Drought conditions continue in the Rideau watershed.

The accumulated precipitation over the last 90 days is less than 60% of the long term average for this time of year which is the threshold for Moderate Drought. No significant rain is presently in weather forecasts for the next week but hot temperatures are. This means that evaporation will be a significant component of the water level decline process throughout the watershed.