News

September 16, 2016

“Severe” Drought Condition Continued

Recent heavy but localized rain was not sufficient to change the drought status in the Rideau River watershed from “Severe.” Streamflows and lake levels continue to decline throughout the watershed. At the climate station at Kemptville, 44 millimetres of rain was recorded on September 10. Both Smiths Falls and Rideau Ferry received 26 but all of 2 mm was recorded at the station at Innisville east of Perth. Where the heavier rainfall occurred, levels increased but they quickly fell back to where they had been.

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

September 06, 2016

Rideau Watershed still in “Severe” Drought Condition

Sporadic and random rainfall over the last week was not enough to bring the Rideau River watershed out of the Severe Drought status reached in mid-August Previous rain in August did cause flows and levels to increase but only for a brief period. With rain coming in small cells that affected very limited areas, levels have quickly declined again. Forecast for this week has a total of 20 millimetres possible that will not have a significant impact.

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

August 30, 2016

Improving and Doubling the Size of a Wetland

The National Capital Commission and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Team Up to Enhance Black Rapids Creek An important wetland in the Greenbelt’s west end will soon become a bigger and better piece of nature. The National Capital Commission (NCC) will team up with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) and the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to enhance and double the size of the existing wetland in the headwaters of Black Rapids Creek.

Published in Media Release

August 29, 2016

Workshop: Headwater Drainage Feature Guideline Implementation: Practitioners Experiences — Eastern Ontario

This workshop will update participants on some of the work that has been implemented since the 2011 Eastern Ontario Headwaters workshop. Updates will include advances in policy, monitoring, research and restoration which were all core themes at the 2011 workshop. Participants will hear a range of case studies from Eastern Ontario that collectively address how to incorporate headwater management in routine management decisions, policy development, and science understanding. Participants will hear from experts from Conservation Authorities, the City of Ottawa and the private sector on local success stories.

Published in Other News

August 22, 2016

Despite Rain, “Severe” Drought Condition Status Continued

Despite the recent rainfall, the Rideau Valley remains in a Severe Drought Status. The 90-day accumulation of rainfall recorded at Environment Canada climate stations in and around the Rideau River watershed has increased to an average of 82 percent of the historical average. The 30-day accumulation is about 99 percent.

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

August 12, 2016

Continued Lack of Rain Causes “Severe” Drought Condition

Based on the 30 Day Precipitation drought indicator, the Rideau River Watershed is in the “Severe” Drought category. There has been no rain recorded at the Ottawa Airport since July 25. Some rain has been recorded at other locations in and around the watershed but there have not been the several days of rain needed to restore the deficit that has accumulated. There is rain forecast through Friday and Saturday but that is expected as thunderstorms which will not produce the needed general rain over the whole watershed. Warm weather is forecast to continue through next week which will cause…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements