News from: March 2018
April 30, 2018 – This message is to update the status of flood conditions in the Rideau River watershed.
No flooding is expected in the lower reaches of the system downstream of Smiths Falls although water levels can be expected to increase with rain forecast over the latter half of this week.
Bobs and Christie Lakes continue to be at risk for flooding. Higher levels on Christie Lake in particular can be expected as necessary releases are made to control levels on Bobs. No rain today or Tuesday will help but, if rain forecast for Wednesday and beyond is received, levels on both lakes can be expected to increase again.
Similar conditions may be occurring on other lakes in the area and residents should take precautions to ensure the security of their properties.
Note that streambanks are slippery and any remaining ice cover on streams, ponds and lakes will be hazardous. Children and pets should be kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.
April 30, 2018 – This message is to update the status of flood conditions in the Rideau River watershed.
No flooding is expected in the lower reaches of the system downstream of Smiths Falls although water levels can be expected to increase with rain forecast over the latter half of this week.
Bobs and Christie Lakes continue to be at risk for flooding. Higher levels on Christie Lake in particular can be expected as necessary releases are made to control levels on Bobs. No rain today or Tuesday will help but, if rain forecast for Wednesday and beyond is received, levels on both lakes can be expected to increase again.
Similar conditions may be occurring on other lakes in the area and residents should take precautions to ensure the security of their properties.
Note that streambanks are slippery and any remaining ice cover on streams, ponds and lakes will be hazardous. Children and pets should be kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.
Lakes in Upper Rideau Watershed Reaching Flood Level
April 28, 2018 – This message is specific to Bobs and Christie Lakes but may apply to other lakes in the area where remotely accessible monitoring equipment is not installed. Property owners are advised to go to their cottage properties and assess conditions for themselves.
Rain overnight has caused levels on Bobs and Christie Lakes to increase to flood levels. Additional rain forecast for today (Saturday) and Sunday will cause further increases. Some relief is expected on Monday and Tuesday. More rain is forecast for later in the week that will slow the decline on both lakes.
Levels of Bobs and Christie Lakes are being monitored closely by Parks Canada staff and operation of the dam at Bolingbroke will be done as required to minimize impacts on the two lakes.
Note that streambanks are slippery and any remaining ice cover on streams, ponds and lakes will be hazardous. Children and pets should be kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.
Lakes in Upper Rideau Watershed Reaching Flood Level
April 28, 2018 – This message is specific to Bobs and Christie Lakes but may apply to other lakes in the area where remotely accessible monitoring equipment is not installed. Property owners are advised to go to their cottage properties and assess conditions for themselves.
Rain overnight has caused levels on Bobs and Christie Lakes to increase to flood levels. Additional rain forecast for today (Saturday) and Sunday will cause further increases. Some relief is expected on Monday and Tuesday. More rain is forecast for later in the week that will slow the decline on both lakes.
Levels of Bobs and Christie Lakes are being monitored closely by Parks Canada staff and operation of the dam at Bolingbroke will be done as required to minimize impacts on the two lakes.
Note that streambanks are slippery and any remaining ice cover on streams, ponds and lakes will be hazardous. Children and pets should be kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.
More Rain Expected to Raise Water Levels Again
April 24, 2018 – Water levels are expected to rise again in the Rideau River watershed as a result of meltwater from the last of the snow, flow from thawing soil and rain forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
Daytime temperatures are expected to approach 20 degrees over the rest of the week and stay above freezing at night. This will cause the remaining snow in the upper watershed to melt and, along with thawing water from the soil, begin to work its way down through the system. Rain in the order of 20 to 30 millimetres is forecast for the next two days which, in combination with the melt runoff, can be expected to cause water levels to rise.
Flooding is not expected but the levels of Bobs and Christie Lakes are being monitored closely by Parks Canada staff and operation of the dam at Bolingbroke will be done as warranted to minimize any impacts on the two lakes.
Access issues in the low-lying communities on the Long Reach of the Rideau between Kars and Kemptville such as Hilly Lane and Cedar Beach could occur as a result of the increasing flows.
Note that streambanks are slippery and any remaining ice cover on streams, ponds and lakes will be hazardous. Children and pets should be kept away from all watercourses as levels fluctuate with the spring weather.
