Media Release
APRIL 21, 2019 OTTAWA RIVER FROM ARNPRIOR TO L'ORIGINAL — The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining our FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The latest model run for the Ottawa River indicates that some areas of the Ottawa River are expected to peak today while others will be closer to the end of the week. There is additional rain expected over the northern portion of the watershed that could impact levels and flows later in the…
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April 19, 2019
Flood Warning -- Ottawa River - Arnprior to L'Original
APRIL 19, 2019 OTTAWA RIVER FROM ARNPRIOR TO L'ORIGINAL — The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation Authorities (SNC) is issuing a FLOOD WARNING for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. Significant rainfall (20 to 40 mm) has fallen over the Ottawa River basin since Thursday and an additional 20 to 35 mm of rain is expected by Saturday evening. The current snowpack throughout much of the Ottawa River basin remains at twice its normal depth for this time of the year. Soils are saturated and warm…
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APRIL 18, 2019 OTTAWA RIVER FROM ARNPRIOR TO HAWKESBURY — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation Authorities (SNC) is issuing an update FLOOD WATCH for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The Ottawa River Regulating Committee warns that levels and flows on the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal region are expected to rise extremely rapidly starting this Friday due to forecast rainfall and snowmelt runoff. Major flood levels are expected to be exceeded over the weekend. Later on, flows and levels similar…
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April 17, 2019
Significant Rain in Forecast Will Again Cause Water Levels to Increase Across the Rideau Valley Watershed
The current forecast is calling for rainfall amounts of 50 to 65 mm, with possibly more, from Thursday to Saturday across the Rideau Valley Watershed which will cause water levels and flows to increase above current conditions throughout the watershed. Flood conditions are expected start on Friday or Saturday in many areas depending on where the rainfall occurs and total amounts received. Some specific areas of concern are highlighted below. A FLOOD WARNING is being issued for the following areas: Properties around Bob’s Lake, Christie Lake and Tay River in the upper Rideau Valley Watershed. In these areas, the water…
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April 17, 2019
Flood Watch - Ottawa River – Arnprior To Hawkesbury
APRIL 17, 2019: OTTAWA RIVER FROM ARNPRIOR TO HAWKESBURY — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), South Nation Conservation Authorities (SNC) and Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF) Kemptville District, cautions residents along the Ottawa River that water levels are expected to increase significantly over the weekend and into next week. Levels are not expected to reach those observed at the height of the flood in 2017 at this time. The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board has stated, “With significant rainfall forecasted later this week, levels will exceed minor flood levels…
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MISSISSIPPI AND RIDEAU WATERSHEDS, April 15, 2019 — On March 11, 2019 the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) approved an amendment to the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan and the Rideau Valley Assessment Report. The approved amendment took effect on March 25, 2019. This amendment reflects a new municipal well system, comprised of two wells, in the community of Richmond and will be owned and operated by the City of Ottawa. This new well system will serve approximately 5,800 people residing in the Western Development Lands. The new well system also affects two existing Wellhead Protection Areas in the Source Protection Plan and…
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April 15, 2019
Recent Heavy Rain Causing Water Levels to Increase in Upper Watershed and Other Localized Areas
April 15, 2019 – The heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday, with amounts up to 40 mm, is causing the water levels to increase in all waterways across the Rideau Valley Watershed. The areas most affected include: Properties around Bob’s Lake, Christie Lake, Tay River and Wolfe Lake in the upper Rideau Valley Watershed. In these areas, the water levels are approaching flood levels. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake, and operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will take place as required, to balance the levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. …
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April 11, 2019
Forecast Rain Expected to Increase Water Levels in Bobs Lake, Christie Lake, Tay River and Wolfe Lake
April 11, 2019 – The current weather forecast is calling for up to 30 mm of rain between Friday and Monday, and then more rain later next week. This anticipated rain, plus meltwater from the remaining snow pack, will increase the water levels in Bob’s Lake, Christie Lake, Tay River and Wolfe Lake. The water levels in the three lakes and the Tay River are currently above average and increasing because of snowmelt runoff. Waterfront property owners in these areas should be prepared for possible flooding in the upcoming days. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in…
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April 11, 2019
Volunteer makes a splash with conservation authority
April 11, 2019 - As volunteers go, Larry Hum’s a real humdinger. The retired telecoms engineer has been volunteering with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) since 2015, helping staff remove invasive plants, survey streams and sample for aquatic animals. “It’s something I always wanted to do, working in the field,” said Mr. Hum, who lives in Bells Corners. He didn’t excel in biology as a student, so he pursued engineering instead. But he still wanted to explore his childhood interest. “It’s an opportunity for me to work in bioscience without going into the heavy, heavy science.” Since joining the…
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April 9, 2019 - Close your eyes. Can you picture six million trees? We can – because that’s how many we’ve planted since 1984. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has released its 2018 annual report, and among our many accomplishments from the past year, the planting of our six millionth tree stands tall. “Every year we partner with landowners to reforest abandoned farm fields and other unused land,” said Scott Danford, manager of the reforestation program at RVCA. “Putting this land to work promotes wildlife and biodiversity, protects soil from erosion and improves water quality, while improving the look…
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April 8,2019 – With below seasonal temperature and no significant precipitation over the past several days, water levels and flows continue to decline slowly across most areas of the Rideau Valley Watershed. The water level/flow decline is expected to continue this week based on the current weather forecast of only single digit high temperatures and the possibility of rain on Friday. At this time most of the snow in our watershed has already melted but some snow/ice does remain near trees or shaded areas. Contrary to the above, water levels and flows in Bob’s Lake and Christie Lake, located in…
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April 03, 2019
Flood Warning has Ended, But Flood Watch Still in Effect for Low-lying Areas in Rideau Valley Watershed
April 3, 2019 -- With limited precipitation and below seasonal temperatures so far this week, water levels and flows have somewhat stabilized across the Rideau Valley Watershed since last weekend. The flood warning issued over the weekend is now over for the areas listed below; however, a flood watch is still in effect for these areas. With snow still on the ground in some areas, combined with forecasted warmer temperatures and precipitation later this week, increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed are still expected in the days to come. Areas currently under a…
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March 31, 2019
Flood Warning Update #1 -- River Levels are now Causing Flooding in Some Low-lying Areas in Rideau Valley Watershed
March 31, 2019 – Significant precipitation this weekend combined with runoff from melting snow has increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Although no significant precipitation is expected during the next few days, water levels and flows will likely continue to stay high in most areas due to on-going runoff from melting snow. The areas that are currently experiencing flooding conditions, or will be very soon, include: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed, including the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek…
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March 30, 2019
Forecast Rain Will Likely Impact Long Reach Waterfront Communities, and Low-lying Areas Along the Jock River and Stevens Creek
March 30, 2019 – After today’s snow and freezing-rain stops, a rainfall in the order of twenty-five millimetres is forecast before the system ends sometime tomorrow. This rainfall, along with runoff from melting snow, is expected to increase water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Furthermore, flooding will most likely to occur in the following areas: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed. This would include the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek (near North Gower), and any connected creeks or ditches.…
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March 29, 2019 – Since early March, we have experienced a very gradual snow melt with limited precipitation across much of the Rideau Valley Watershed. In the lower Rideau Valley Watershed (North Grenville and Ottawa) and in the Tay Valley Watershed, there still remains above average snow pack which indicates a potential for above average flooding in low lying areas adjacent to any rivers, creeks or ditches. The current weather forecast indicates that it will remain cool (near freezing) for Saturday and Sunday with a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow on Saturday. However, there is uncertainty about how…
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