News

August 19, 2017

Rideau River Regulations and Hazard Land Mapping Public Open Houses

CITY OF OTTAWA AND MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE, August 21, 2017 — Members of the public are invited to an upcoming open house to review hazard maps. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has completed two hazard mapping studies for the Rideau River: Hogs Back to Kars and Kars to Burritts Rapids. These studies update existing mapping in some areas and new mapping in others. Both Rideau River studies look at identifying two main types of hazards along these stretches of the watercourse: flooding and slope stability. The mapping will be used by the City of Ottawa and the Municipality…

Published in Media Release

August 10, 2017

Dollars Available to Plant Trees — Free Site Visits

Money is available to landowners interested in planting trees. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority offers private landowners tree planting programs that help them get technical advice, planting plans and funding for trees. “We have numerous community-minded partners providing funding to projects to help reduce landowner costs,” says Scott Danford, RVCA Forestry Program Manager. “We offer planting programs that make it easy and affordable for landowners.” To be eligible, landowners need at least one acre of land and are willing to plant a minimum of 500 trees. If you have the space, RVCA can help get trees growing on your land…

Published in Media Release

August 09, 2017

Wet Weather in Most of the Rideau Watershed but Record Rain and Flooding in North Gower

On January 17, 2017 the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority downgraded the Drought status in the watershed from “Moderate,” which had been carried over from a dry year in 2016, to “Minor.” The “Minor” status was kept in place because of uncertainty about groundwater conditions that couldn’t be checked until spring. The “Minor” status was removed on April 19 after three months of above normal precipitation that went a long way to recharging groundwater aquifers. Since February, rainfall totals each month have been an average of 1.65 times normal. It is not unusual for there to be above normal amounts of…

Published in Media Release

July 31, 2017

Flood Watch Withdrawn — Water Levels Still Receding Slowly

With relatively minor rain forecast for the coming week and the flood waters in decline, the RVCA is withdrawing the Flood Watch that has been in effect for the last week. Water levels are still above normal but continuing to decline. The 3-day rainfall of 35 millimetres presently forecast for Wednesday through Friday in eastern Ontario is expected to cause a pause in the decline. Periods of heavier, localized rain may fall in thunderstorms but no significant impact is expected at this time. Waters have receded from the North Gower area where serious flooding along Stevens Creek occurred last week.…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

July 27, 2017

Partners Gather to Celebrate Chapman Mills Boardwalk and Trail Improvements

Ottawa South residents and guests can enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of nature along the newly upgraded Chapman Mills Conservation Area trails and boardwalk. Dignitaries and special guests gathered at the site today to celebrate and help with the installation of the final pieces of wooden boardwalk. Owned by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), Chapman Mills is an exceptional example of conservation parkland with river shoreline, wetland and flood plain areas that are unique and vital to our local community. “Chapman Mills is one of Ottawa’s most ecologically significant natural areas,” said Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) Chair…

Published in Media Release

July 26, 2017

Floodwaters Receding Slowly

As Stevens Creek levels slowly decline, residents of North Gower continue to deal with water in basements and on streets as a result of record setting rainfall. On the Rideau, minor flooding of low-lying areas on the Long Reach have access issues similar to what often occurs in the spring. Parks Canada staff are doing strategic dam operations to get water levels down throughout the Canal system with as little impact as possible. With high flows passing through the dams, boaters are advised to stay well away. Also with high waters, boat wake becomes a problem causing damage to shorelines.…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements