News from: April 2018

May 10, 2018 –  The Flood Warning issued on April 30 for Bobs and Christie Lakes remains in effect.

Levels on both lakes continue to decline at the rate of about one centimetre per day. However, levels are still above the ‘Full Supply’ threshold at which damage can occur. Rain today is not expected to be sufficient to affect the decline of the lake levels and no rain is forecast for the next five days. Levels can be expected to recede to summer levels over the next week barring a significant weather system forming and moving through the region.

Caution around lakes and rivers is advised for everybody. Children need to be informed about the hazards of cold, deep or fast moving water.

May 7, 2018 –  The Flood Warning issued on April 30 for Bobs and Christie Lakes remains in effect.

Levels on both lakes have declined slightly but both remain above the ‘Full Supply’ threshold at which damage can occur. This decline will continue for the next two days with no precipitation forecast. However, rain is forecast for Thursday and through next weekend with a possible five day total close to 55 millimetres. If this amount falls, water levels are likely to increase but the primary impact is expected to be on Bobs and Christie Lakes.

Outflows from Bobs Lake are presently stable and no adjustments are planned for today. Some lower lying properties on Christie Lake have been affected by high waters. Docks and other shoreline structures have been damaged and bank erosion has occurred on some properties on both lakes.

Everyone needs to be cautious around lakes and streams with the fluctuating water levels. Children need to be educated about the hazards and kept away from all watercourses.

This message will be in effect until Wednesday, May 9.

May 4, 2018 – Water levels are expected to increase through the weekend on the Ottawa River.

As snowmelt runoff from the upper reaches of the Ottawa River watershed continues to work through the system, levels on the river in the Ottawa area are expected to rise. A weather system presently passing through the region will combine with the snowmelt to raise levels in low-lying shoreline areas that are typically flooded during spring freshet. More extensive flooding is not expected at this time.

Weather forecasts are presently indicating that next week will bring sun and warmer temperatures which will help cause levels to decline toward normal early summer levels.

Note that streambanks are slippery along the river, water is fast moving and still very cold. Children should be informed about the hazards and kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.

This message in effect until May 7.

Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days for more information.

May 4, 2018 –  This message is an update to the RVCA flood warning of April 30.

A weather forecast from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has the possibility of generalized rain up to 25 millimetres (mm). An additional 25 mm could fall in localized storm cells.  If the rain occurs as forecast, water levels can be expected to rise again throughout the watershed. However, no flooding is expected in the lower reaches of the system downstream of Smiths Falls.

Water levels have continued to increase gradually on Bobs and Christie Lakes with some minor flooding of low-lying shoreline. Operation of the Bolingbroke Dam on Bobs Lake continues with outflow being reduced today to give some relief to Christie Lake. Water levels can be expected to increase on both lakes. How much the increases will be depends on rainfall this afternoon and overnight.

Cottage owners on other lakes in the area may want to check that their properties are secure.

Weather forecasts are presently indicating that next week will bring sun and warmer temperatures which will cause a decline toward more typical water levels.

Note that streambanks are slippery on watershed streams, ponds and lakes and the water will still be cold. Children should be informed about the hazards and kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.

May 3, 2018, RIDEAU WATERSHED — RVCA welcomed 17 new faces to its conservation family on April 30, 2018 thanks to special federal and provincial funding.

"We are grateful for the hard work and enthusiasm that our local youth bring to support our conservation authority work," said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, RVCA General Manager. "We are also thankful for the special federal and provincial funding that makes it possible."

Canada Summer Jobs and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Summer Experience Program help cover costs for student positions that include camp counselors/life guards, stewardship labourers, park technicians, water resource technicians and regulations assistants.

Many of the students are from the watershed community including Barrhaven, Dunrobin, Kemptville, Lanark, North Gower, Perth, Richmond and Stittsville. Most students work a full four months prior to returning to their ongoing studies. 

“We strive to provide meaningful and valuable work experience that will help our youth with future employment,” said Casgrain-Robertson noting that the experience is also rewarding for staff who help mentor and work closely with the students throughout their work experience.