News from: April 2019

May 10, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River.

The most recent analysis from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels along the Ottawa River from Mattawa to Montreal are increasing due to recent precipitation and increased flow from the upper part of the watershed.  Water levels are not expected to reach the levels observed last week over the forecasted period.

All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk as snowmelt continues along the upper Ottawa River. Levels are expected to remain high for the next two to three weeks. Risk is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation that is received. Residents are strongly urged to keep sandbags in place for now. Updates to all projections will be provided as they become available.

MVCA areas of concern: 

Water levels in the Constance Bay area are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are expected to be 5 to 10 cm lower than last week’s peak elevations.

RVCA areas of concern:

Water levels in the Britannia area (Grandview Road, Britannia Village, and the Belltown Community) are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are expected to be 5 to 10 cm lower than last week’s peak elevations.

Water levels east of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are not expected to exceed the peak levels observed last week.

SNC areas of concern:

Water level in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet have risen 0.04m in the last 48 hours. Levels are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are not expected to exceed the peak levels observed last week.

Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.

This FLOOD WARNING is in effect until Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 5:00 PM.

RVCA and its Ottawa partners, MVCA and SNC monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.

To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.”

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"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."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable 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.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.

May 10, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River.

The most recent analysis from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels along the Ottawa River from Mattawa to Montreal are increasing due to recent precipitation and increased flow from the upper part of the watershed.  Water levels are not expected to reach the levels observed last week over the forecasted period.

All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk as snowmelt continues along the upper Ottawa River. Levels are expected to remain high for the next two to three weeks. Risk is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation that is received. Residents are strongly urged to keep sandbags in place for now. Updates to all projections will be provided as they become available.

MVCA areas of concern: 

Water levels in the Constance Bay area are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are expected to be 5 to 10 cm lower than last week’s peak elevations.

RVCA areas of concern:

Water levels in the Britannia area (Grandview Road, Britannia Village, and the Belltown Community) are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are expected to be 5 to 10 cm lower than last week’s peak elevations.

Water levels east of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are not expected to exceed the peak levels observed last week.

SNC areas of concern:

Water level in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet have risen 0.04m in the last 48 hours. Levels are expected to increase over the next 24 to 48 hours but are not expected to exceed the peak levels observed last week.

Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.

This FLOOD WARNING is in effect until Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 5:00 PM.

RVCA and its Ottawa partners, MVCA and SNC monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.

To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.”

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"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."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable 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.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.

May 7, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River.

The current weather forecast indicates that significant rainfall amounts are possible from Thursday morning into Friday as a large low-pressure system moves into the area.

The most recent analysis from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels along the Ottawa River from Chats Lake down to Lac Deschenes are stable and may increase as a result of the forecasted rainfall but should not exceed the initial peaks observed last week. From Pointe Gatineau down to the Grenville/Hawkesbury area water levels are still decreasing but may level off as a result of the forecasted rainfall.

All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk as snowmelt continues along the upper Ottawa River. Levels are expected to remain high for the next two to three weeks. Risk is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation that is received. Residents are strongly urged to keep sandbags in place for now. Updates to all projections will be provided as they become available.

MVCA areas of concern: 

Water levels in the Constance Bay area are stable and are expected to remain that way over the next 48 hours.  The forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday could cause levels to increase again.

RVCA areas of concern:

Water levels in the Britannia area (Grandview Road, Britannia Village, and the Belltown Community) are stable and are expected to remain that way over the next 48 hours. The forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday could cause levels to increase again.

Water levels east of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) are still decreasing but may level off due to the forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday.

SNC areas of concern:

Water levels in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet are still decreasing but may level off due to the forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday.

Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.

This FLOOD WARNING is in effect until Friday, May 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM.

RVCA and its Ottawa partners, MVCA and SNC monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.

To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program”

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"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."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable 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.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.

May 7 , 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River.

The current weather forecast indicates that significant rainfall amounts are possible from Thursday morning into Friday as a large low-pressure system moves into the area.

The most recent analysis from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels along the Ottawa River from Chats Lake down to Lac Deschenes are stable and may increase as a result of the forecasted rainfall but should not exceed the initial peaks observed last week. From Pointe Gatineau down to the Grenville/Hawkesbury area water levels are still decreasing but may level off as a result of the forecasted rainfall.

All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk as snowmelt continues along the upper Ottawa River. Levels are expected to remain high for the next two to three weeks. Risk is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation that is received. Residents are strongly urged to keep sandbags in place for now. Updates to all projections will be provided as they become available.

MVCA areas of concern: 

Water levels in the Constance Bay area are stable and are expected to remain that way over the next 48 hours.  The forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday could cause levels to increase again.

RVCA areas of concern:

Water levels in the Britannia area (Grandview Road, Britannia Village, and the Belltown Community) are stable and are expected to remain that way over the next 48 hours. The forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday could cause levels to increase again.

Water levels east of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) are still decreasing but may level off due to the forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday.

SNC areas of concern:

Water levels in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet are still decreasing but may level off due to the forecasted rainfall on Thursday and Friday.

Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.

This FLOOD WARNING is in effect until Friday, May 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM.

RVCA and its Ottawa partners, MVCA and SNC monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.

To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program”

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"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."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable 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.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
• Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
• Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.

May 7, 2019 – As thousands of Canadian students walked out of class to protest climate policies on May 3, a group of Nepean High School students were taking their protest back to basics.

Shovels in hand, the 14-person crew braved wet weather to plant 500 trees at MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre in Cumberland. Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) provided the seedlings and taught the students how and where to plant them.

“I like that we’re taking real action, we’re out here actually planting trees,” said Emily Drummond, a Grade 9 environment club member. The club had planned to join the #FridaysForFuture climate strike at Parliament Hill, but decided they could have a more immediate impact reforesting an abandoned field.

Most of the students were in Grade 11 or 12 and part of the school’s environmental Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program. They take courses in habitat ecology, resource management and environmental science as part of their core curriculum. Most said they would pursue careers in an environmental field.

SHSM director and environment club leader Chris Drummond said he has worked with the RVCA before, planting endangered butternut seedlings in another part of the outdoor education centre and installing several turtle habitat sites.

The trees were paid for by the RVCA’s charitable arm, the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.

The RVCA manages the Rideau River watershed. It monitors flood risks and other hazards, regulates development around waterways and supports stewardship activities like tree planting and shoreline naturalization to make the watershed more resilient. It also maintains 11 conservation areas and 42 kilometres of public trails.

You can support the RVCA’s work through a charitable donation to the foundation (www.rvcf.ca), purchasing a tree for a special occasion or donating private land for preservation. 

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