News from: April 2017

Measurements on the Ottawa River indicate that water levels are stabilizing.

This Flood Warning applies to areas around Lac Deschene, at Petrie Island and at Boise Village to the east of Cumberland.

All locations covered by this statement are expected to have river water levels stabilize this morning and possibly reach peaks this afternoon or evening. There is no significant rain presently forecast that would cause levels to rise again. The decline water levels may be prolonged by releases from upstream dams as excess water from the more northerly parts of the watershed pass through the system.

It will take several days for the water to recede to normal levels and parents need to stay vigilant to keep their children away particularly from flowing water.

Only if it is safe to do so, the public is encouraged to share photos of water conditions in their area via RVCA Facebook (@RideauValleyConservationAuthority) and Twitter (@RideauValleyCA).

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will issue updates as warranted.

For water level and flow information in the Rideau system as well as the Ottawa River, visit the RVCA Streamflows and Water Levels webpage at http://his.rvca.ca/rvcafwl/.

For more information about conditions on the Ottawa River, also check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days.

Water levels continue to rise but at a slower rate as the rain ends

This Flood Warning applies to areas around Lac Deschene, at Petrie Island and at Boise Village to the east of Cumberland.

All locations covered by this statement are expected to have river water levels stabilize through today as the rainfall system passes out of eastern Ontario. A peak is expected to be reached by tomorrow on the Ottawa as the flows in the tributary rivers reach peaks through this evening and overnight.

Some more rain is in Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry weather forecasts but it is not expected to be as widespread as the rains this weekend and are only likely to prolong the decline of levels after the peak.

Attempting to drive or walk in water more than 30 centimetres depth is not safe. Parents need to inform children about the dangers of going near flooded areas and fast moving water in streams and ditches.

Only if it is safe to do so, the public is encouraged to share photos of water conditions in their area via RVCA Facebook (@RideauValleyConservationAuthority) and Twitter (@RideauValleyCA).

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will issue updates as warranted.

For water level and flow information in the Rideau system as well as the Ottawa River, visit the RVCA Streamflows and Water Levels webpage at http://his.rvca.ca/rvcafwl/.

For more information about conditions on the Ottawa River, also check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days.

 The rain is forecast to tail off today and tomorrow in Eastern Ontario finishing with a bout of freezing rain and snow flurries in some locations.

Flows in the Rideau system are now not expected to reach flows experienced in the spring freshet (defined as a flood of a river from heavy rain or melted snow). The rate of rise in the Rideau and its tributaries is slowing as the lower reaches of the system stabilize. Levels on the Long Reach will decline to navigation levels and access to Hilly Lane and its neighbours will improve through the coming week. Waters will also subside gradually from Brantwood and Windsor Parks.

The Rideau Canal reservoir lake levels continue to be well above the “Full Supply Limit”. Parks Canada staff had to make changes to the dam settings on Bobs Lake as it became necessary to release water as levels rose. Unfortunately, that increased the extent of flooding around Christie Lake. The impact of the release from Bobs Lake on the Tay River is not expected to mean a higher peak on the Tay. Rather, flows are expected to continue to be high for several days.

The flood waters continue to be hazardous and caution is needed. Parents need to inform children about the dangers.

Only if it is safe to do so, the public is encouraged to share photos of water conditions in their area via RVCA Facebook (@RideauValleyConservationAuthority) and Twitter (@RideauValleyCA).

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will issue updates as warranted.

For water level and flow information in the Rideau system as well as the Ottawa River, visit the RVCA Streamflows and Water Levels webpage at http://his.rvca.ca/rvcafwl/.

For more information about conditions on the Ottawa River, also check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days.

Water levels in the Rideau Valley are expected to reach levels previously reached on April 7.

Rainfall will continue to cause levels to rise again inundating those locations flooded recently in the spring freshet. Road ways in the communities on the Long Reach of the Rideau River between Kars and Kemptville have already been water covered or will be later today.

Belmont Avenue and the Windsor Park pathway in Ottawa South and Brantwood Park in Ottawa East will be flooded again. No other flooding in the urban area adjacent to the Rideau River is expected to be flooded.

All of the dams in the system have been adjusted to allow as much water as possible to pass through. However, the levels on many of the lakes in the upper watershed are high causing shoreline flooding, access issues, erosion and damage to structures. It is expected that it will take some time to return to normal levels once a peak is reached.

As the flood waters rise, so too does the hazard level. Flooded roads are dangerous to drive and walk on and moving water and slippery streambanks are not good places for anyone to be. Parents need to inform children about the dangers.

The rain is forecast to end on Sunday and a peak can be expected late Sunday or Monday.

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will issue updates as warranted.

For water level and flow information in the Rideau system as well as the Ottawa River, visit the RVCA Streamflows and Water Levels webpage at http://his.rvca.ca/rvcafwl/.

For more information about conditions on the Ottawa River, also check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days.

Flooding is expected in the Rideau River watershed today and through the weekend.

Previous rain from the beginning of the week has increased water levels throughout the watershed. Parks Canada staff have been making adjustments at all dams to reduce the water levels with some success. However, there is still excess water in the Rideau Canal reservoir lakes. Christie Lake on the Tay River, is expected to have further flood issues as water is released from Bobs Lake to relieve ongoing high water there.

Releases from Big Rideau Lake will have to be made today which will increase flows downstream. Dams downstream will all be opened as much as possible to pass through the maximum flows. However, some flooding can be expected starting on the Long Reach between Manotick and Kemptville, in particular Hilly Lane, where access roads are expected to be submerged today.

Windsor and Brantwood Parks in Ottawa South and East that were under water previously in April are expected to be flooded again.

As the flood waters rise, so too does the hazard level. Flooded roads are dangerous to drive and walk on and moving water and slippery streambanks are not good places for anyone to be. Parents need to inform children about the dangers.

The rain is forecast to end on Sunday and a peak can be expected late Sunday or Monday.

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will issue updates as warranted.

For water level and flow information in the Rideau system as well as the Ottawa River, visit the RVCA Streamflows and Water Levels webpage at http://his.rvca.ca/rvcafwl/.

For more information about conditions on the Ottawa River, also check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days.