News from: June 2018

July 10, 2018 –  This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Rideau River watershed are now at the threshold for Minor Low Water status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Rainfall in the last 90 days, measured at climate stations in and around the watershed, is about 80% of the normal amount for the time of year which is the threshold for Minor Low Water. The present heat wave with several daytime high temperatures above 30 degrees has burned lawns and wilted plants in gardens. Lake levels and streamflows are below normal for the time of year but are still above critical thresholds. Smaller streams will be drying up as they do most years. There is flow in larger streams in the watershed but it is declining.

With the hot weather that continues to cause considerable evaporation, Rideau Canal reservoir lakes are at levels typical of early August. There is, though, sufficient water for Parks Canada – Ontario Waterways to state that draft and navigation are normal throughout the Rideau Canal system.

Conditions are expected to decline with no significant rain in the present 5 day forecasts. Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Updates to this message will be issued as conditions warrant. 

All watershed residents are encouraged to conserve water at all times but they should be particularly conservative when low water conditions occur.

Other relevant information sources are:

• Ministry of Environment and Climate Change: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage
• Ontario’s Low Water Response program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program. 
• RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
• Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels 

July 10, 2018 –  This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Rideau River watershed are now at the threshold for Minor Low Water status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Rainfall in the last 90 days, measured at climate stations in and around the watershed, is about 80% of the normal amount for the time of year which is the threshold for Minor Low Water. The present heat wave with several daytime high temperatures above 30 degrees has burned lawns and wilted plants in gardens. Lake levels and streamflows are below normal for the time of year but are still above critical thresholds. Smaller streams will be drying up as they do most years. There is flow in larger streams in the watershed but it is declining.

With the hot weather that continues to cause considerable evaporation, Rideau Canal reservoir lakes are at levels typical of early August. There is, though, sufficient water for Parks Canada – Ontario Waterways to state that draft and navigation are normal throughout the Rideau Canal system.

Conditions are expected to decline with no significant rain in the present 5 day forecasts. Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Updates to this message will be issued as conditions warrant. 

All watershed residents are encouraged to conserve water at all times but they should be particularly conservative when low water conditions occur.

Other relevant information sources are:

• Ministry of Environment and Climate Change: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage
• Ontario’s Low Water Response program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program. 
• RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
• Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels 

A guide to identifying and protecting Ontario's baitfish. Produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada

RIDEAU VALLEY WATERSHED, July 3, 2018 — The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) celebrated the planting of their six millionth tree on Thursday, June 28.

This special tree is hidden among the over 275,000 seedlings planted this spring throughout the watershed — somewhere in the over 4,000 square kilometres of ground between the City of Ottawa and South Frontenac Township north of Kingston.

This achievement was celebrated with a ceremonial tree dedication at the RVCA’s Perth Wildlife Reserve.

Thanks to the many, community-minded funding partners, over $5.7 million has been raised to support tree planting since 1983 — much of these funds come through the continued support of key green investors including Carleton Refrigeration, the City of Ottawa, Eastern Ontario Model Forest, Forests Ontario, McGarry Funeral Homes, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, Newcap LiVE 88.5, Pratt & Whitney Canada and the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.

The total value of the local reforestation effort including the landowner contributions is closer to $9.8 million and has resulted in over 26.9 square kilometres (2,686 hectares) of idle or marginal land being converted into thriving, treed landscapes.

“We are delighted to share this major milestone with our municipal and community minded-funding partners,” said RVCA Chair Lyle Pederson. “We are grateful to our watershed municipalities for investing in our green infrastructure. The additional commitment from landowners and our business community is a reflection of our shared desire for a healthy, green sustainable watershed. Thank you to all our partners and especially the generous donors who support our tree planting program.”

RVCA staff are currently looking for next year’s planting partners. Landowners who are interested in having one acre or more (0.4 hectares) planted in trees can contact the RVCA to learn more about the program or book a free site visit. The RVCA’s full-service program includes free site visits with forestry experts, development of planting plans, site preparation, tree planting operations, follow-up assessments and operations to ensure long-term tree establishment. 

“As someone who has been involved in the RVCA tree planting program — I can speak to the professional staff, impressive financial incentives and the many benefits the tree planting program offers,” said Chair Pederson who encourages landowners to learn more about the RVCA’s reforestation programs by visiting the Conservation Authority’s website at www.rvca.ca or calling 1-800-267-3504 to speak to a member of the Forestry Team.

Photo caption – left to right:
Ottawa Councillor David Chernushenko, RVCA Board Member and Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Councillor Ray Scissons and RVCA Chair Lyle Pederson celebrate the planting of the RVCA’s 6 millionth tree with the dedication of a sugar maple at the Perth Wildlife Reserve.