News

August 09, 2023

Low Water Status Now ‘Normal’ in Tay River and Rideau Lakes; Water Levels Remain Low in Bobs and Christie Lakes

(WCS-LW - 2/2023)August 9, 2023 – Watershed conditions in the Tay River and Rideau Lakes watersheds have returned to “Normal’ under the Ontario Low Water Response Program. However, the water levels in Bobs and Christie Lakes, which are used throughout the recreational season to augment the flow in the Tay River and regulate navigation in the Rideau River, are still below average for this time of year. Parks Canada staff continue to closely monitor these lakes and expect the water levels to approach normal levels with rain in the forecast. With well above-average rainfall amounts across the watershed during the last…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

July 18, 2023

Invasive species the target of upcoming community workshop

RIDEAU VALLEY, July 18, 2023 – In the war on invasive species, knowledge is the most potent weapon – and a free community workshop aims to arm the public with as much invasive species information as possible. Focusing on identification and how to reduce their spread, the workshop on Saturday, July 29 will feature staff presentations as well as hands-on displays of invasive plants and animals. “We’re hoping more members of the public will become familiar with these species and their impacts,” said Amanda Lange, RVCA’s Aquatic Habitat Monitoring Co-ordinator. “The more people know about invasive species, the more we can…

Published in Media Release

July 13, 2023

Foley Mountain launching new Family Forest School this fall

WESTPORT, July 14, 2023 – A new weekly Forest School program will cater to kids ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers this September. The parent-assisted program will run every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 for 12 weeks, beginning Sept. 12. “It’s so important to let young kids engage in risky play, explore a diverse landscape, develop their motor skills and of course receive all the wonderful benefits from being outside,” said Foley Mountain site supervisor Rebecca Whitman. “The sooner we can help children build connections to the land and nature, the better off we’ll all be.” The Forest School model…

Published in Media Release

July 11, 2023

Minor Low Water Conditions in Tay River and Rideau Lakes Watersheds

(WCS-LW - 1/2023)July 11, 2023 – Following a period of dry and hot weather, the Rideau Valley Low Water Response Team is declaring a MINOR low water status for the Tay River and Rideau Lakes watersheds (referred to as Upper Rideau Valley watershed), after officials met to discuss current watershed conditions on Monday, July 10, 2023. Upper Rideau Valley watershed residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent. This is especially important for those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources and all residents on private, communal or municipal wells. The requested…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

June 06, 2023

2022 Annual Report highlights RVCA successes across the watershed

RIDEAU VALLEY, June 6, 2023 — New accessible infrastructure, expanded septic services, a new clean water program and the planting of our 7 millionth tree: the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) accomplished all this and more in 2022. The RVCA provides conservation-led programs and services based on a watershed-wide model serving 18 member municipalities along the Rideau River and its tributaries. Our wide-ranging programs cover a huge geographic area of more than 4,000 km2, from Central Frontenac to Merrickville-Wolford and downriver to the City of Ottawa. Through science, stewardship and education, the RVCA strives to manage local natural resources sustainably to ensure…

Published in Media Release

May 19, 2023

Water Safety Statement: Bobs and Christie Lakes Declining to Near Seasonal Levels

(WCS – R12/2023)May 19, 2023 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is terminating the Flood Watch that was previously in effect and issuing a High Water Safety message for Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.The water levels on Bobs and Christie Lakes continue to decline slowly. Although some precipitation is in the forecast for the weekend, both lakes are now near seasonal levels and are not expected to increase significantly. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in these lakes. Operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will take place as required to balance the levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.Water levels and flows…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements