News from: August 2018

September 27, 2018 – This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed has returned to “Normal” except for the Kemptville Creek subwatershed which is at “Minor” Severity, down from “Moderate” Severity.

Rain over the last week pushed totals above what is normal for the time of year at most climate monitoring sites in the region. The forecast is indicating more rainfall next week that will begin to restore streamflows to historical averages.

The exception is at the Environment Canada site in Kemptville which has a 90 day total at 67% of normal, well below the threshold for the Minor severity status of 80%.

Winterization of the Rideau Canal will begin on October 9 and proceed to mid-November. Presently, water levels from Ottawa Locks to Newboro are sufficient for navigation. Further information is available on the Parks Canada Infonet (address below).

Water conservation is recommended for all residents of the Rideau River watershed. Burn bans may still be in effect in some municipalities. Check your municipal website for applicable bylaws. Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are encouraged to reduce their actual taking as much as possible.

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.

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.
Parks Canada Infonet: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet/tirant-deau-draft
RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels .

September 27, 2018 – This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed has returned to “Normal” except for the Kemptville Creek subwatershed which is at “Minor” Severity, down from “Moderate” Severity.

Rain over the last week pushed totals above what is normal for the time of year at most climate monitoring sites in the region. The forecast is indicating more rainfall next week that will begin to restore streamflows to historical averages.

The exception is at the Environment Canada site in Kemptville which has a 90 day total at 67% of normal, well below the threshold for the Minor severity status of 80%.

Winterization of the Rideau Canal will begin on October 9 and proceed to mid-November. Presently, water levels from Ottawa Locks to Newboro are sufficient for navigation. Further information is available on the Parks Canada Infonet (address below).

Water conservation is recommended for all residents of the Rideau River watershed. Burn bans may still be in effect in some municipalities. Check your municipal website for applicable bylaws. Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are encouraged to reduce their actual taking as much as possible.

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.

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.
Parks Canada Infonet: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet/tirant-deau-draft
RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels .

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

Brief Description

During the fall we sample benthic invertebrates using the kick-and-sweep method throughout the Rideau Valley watershed.

What to Expect

You’ll spend a lot of time traveling to remote areas in an RVCA vehicle with one of our professionals. Your day will typically start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., however, some days might be longer. You’ll be walking steep slopes; entering cold and fast flowing water wearing chest waders; canoeing in lakes and sometimes working in inclement weather.

When

• Tentative dates are Monday to Friday, October through to November. Depending on the fall conditions, this opportunity may start earlier and/or end later.

Skills and Competencies Required

• To be successful in this role, you will already need to be comfortable traveling long distances, working in cold temperatures in and around water, wading through streams and walking in difficult terrain. We are looking for volunteers with good communication skills, positive attitude and the ability to work in teams.

Skills and Competencies To Be Acquired

To be successful in this role, you will already need to be comfortable travelling long distances, working in cold temperatures in and around water, wading through streams, wearing chest waders, touching benthic invertebrates and walking in difficult terrain. We are looking for volunteers with good communication skills, positive attitude and able to work in teams.

• Aquatic sampling field experience;
• wearing chest waders and working in streams;
• operating a multiparameter water chemistry probe;
• use of a Secchi disk, a composite sampler, and a Van Doren
• Kick and sweep techniques for benthic invertebrates

Be Prepared

You will need your own transportation to and from RVCA headquarters (3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick. 

Read the Participant Guide found in the volunteer section of the RVCA website.

You will need to provide:

• your own warm and water-resistant clothing (dressing in layers is a good idea);
• your own footwear and extra socks – wear closed toe shoes to get around;
• to wear chest waders you will require a thick pair of socks with length (no ankle socks);
• your own lunch, snacks, and beverages.

We Supply

• chest waders and flotation safety equipment;
• sampling equipment, supervision and instruction.

RVCA Contacts

• Amanda Lange

September 14, 2018 –  This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed is still at “Minor” Severity except for the Kemptville Creek sub-watershed which continues to be “Moderate” Severity.

The overall watershed 30 day rainfall is at 72% of normal for the time of year. The 30 day rain measured at Kemptville College is at 42%. Rainfall is slightly higher in the headwater areas of Kemptville Creek but most appears to have infiltrated into the ground, rather than into the Creek, with flows just 1.3% of normal. Aquatic species will be increasingly stressed as available pools shrink, temperatures rise and oxygen concentrations decline.

An obvious indicator of drought stress are trees with leaves changing colour earlier than usual.

The Rideau Canal reservoir lake levels are as little as 2 centimetres (Wolfe Lake) to 19 cm (Upper Rideau) below levels normally reached at this time of year. Navigation in the north flowing sector  is not presently at risk. Further information is available on the Parks Canada Infonet (address below).

Water conservation is recommended for all residents of the Rideau River watershed. Burn bans may still be in effect in some municipalities. Check your municipal website for applicable bylaws. Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are encouraged to reduce their actual taking as much as possible.

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.

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.
Parks Canada Infonet: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet/tirant-deau-draft
RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels .