News from: April 2019
May 7, 2019 – Your mother gave you the gift of life, and now you can return the favour.
Thanks to the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation’s special occasions tree planting program, you can skip the grocery store bouquet and plant an environmental legacy in your mom’s honour, instead.
The trees are planted across the Rideau Valley watershed, from Frontenac to Smiths Falls to downtown Ottawa, helping to fight erosion, manage floods and keep contaminants out of our rivers and lakes. Staff tend to the new trees, helping them grow into maturity so they can thrive for decades – much like your mother did for you.
A single tree costs $25, while a small grove of five is only $100. Ten trees costs $150 and a family grove of 25 trees costs $250 – just $10 a tree.
Online ordering makes it easy and fast. Under the RVCF’s Special Occasion Trees program, simply enter your donation amount and your information, and you’ll receive a charitable tax receipt to your inbox right away. You can even send your mom an e-card right from the foundation site.
The foundation is a registered charity that supports the work of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, which monitors more than 4,000 km2 of waterways across 18 municipalities in Eastern Ontario.
The authority is responsible for monitoring water quality, flood risks and other hazards to keep people, property and the environment safe. Planting trees is an important part of the authority’s efforts to promote biodiversity, protect our drinking water and reduce the risk of flooding.
The RVCF plants a combination of white cedar, white pine, red oak and sugar maple.
To order your Mother’s Day trees or make another donation, visit www.canadahelps.org.
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May 6, 2019 —A FLOOD WATCH is being maintained for properties around Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.
Water levels on both lakes continue to decline slowly but both remain above average for this time of year. The current water level on Bobs Lake is above the "Full Supply" threshold at which flood damage can occur. The current water level on Christie Lake is such that some flood damage can also occur. The current forecast indicates between 20 mm and 35 mm of rain could fall later this week. This rainfall will likely increase water levels again on Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in these lakes. Operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will take place as required to balance the levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.
Water levels are now near seasonal in the rest of the Rideau Valley Watershed.
Everyone needs to be cautious around lakes and streams with the fluctuating water levels. Children need to be educated about the hazards and kept away from all watercourses.
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Monday May 13, 2019 at 5 PM and will be updated at that time unless the forecast or conditions change.
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More Information:
Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
or cell 613-799-9423
Media Enquiries:
Diane Downey, RVCA Director of Communications and Outreach
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-3571, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1126
or cell 613-698-9453
"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and natural resource conservation."
RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:
- Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
- Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.
May 3, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River.
The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels have peaked on Lac Coulonge and are expected to begin rising again over the next few days. Along the Ottawa River below Lac Coulonge, levels are expected to remain stable or slowly decline over the next few days in all locations.
All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk as snowmelt from the upper Ottawa River basin begins to move through the system.
Levels will remain high for at least the next week but are expected to decline slowly based on the current weather forecasts. Risk is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation received over the next two to three weeks. Residents are strongly urged to keep sandbags in place for at least the next two weeks.
MVCA areas of concern:
Water levels in the Constance Bay area have peaked and have begun to recede.
RVCA areas of concern:
Water levels in Britannia area (Grandview Road, Britannia Village, and the Belltown Community) and the area east of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) have peaked and begun to recede.
SNC areas of concern:
Water levels in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet have peaked on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 and have dropped over the last 48 hours.
Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.
This FLOOD WARNING is in effect until Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 5:00 PM.
RVCA and its Ottawa partners, MVCA and SNC monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.
To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.
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"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and natural resource conservation."
RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:
- Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
- Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.
May 1, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River.
The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels have peaked on Lac Coulonge. From Chats Lake down to Hawkesbury/Grenville, levels have stabilized but are expected to increase due to forecasted rain of 15 to 35 mm on a large part of the basin starting today.
All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk.
Peak water levels across many areas of the Ottawa River will exceed those experienced in May 2017 over the next couple of days. Levels will remain high and are forecasted to peak between Thursday and Friday. Risk is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation received.
MVCA areas of concern:
Water levels in the Constance Bay area have exceeded those levels reached in May 2017. The ORRC currently forecasts water levels to rise an additional 0.30 m to 0.50 m above the 2017 levels. Updates to this projection will be provided as they become available.
RVCA areas of concern:
Water levels in the Britannia area (Grandview Road, Britannia Village, and the Belltown Community) have exceeded those levels reached in May 2017. The ORRC currently forecasts water levels to rise an additional 0.30 m to 0.50 m above the 2017 levels. Updates to this projection will be provided as they become available.
Water levels east of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) are equal to those levels reached in May 2017. The ORRC currently forecasts water levels to rise an additional 0.20 m to 0.40 m above the 2017 levels. Updates to this projection will be provided as they become available.
SNC areas of concern:
Water levels in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet have risen 0.03 m over the last 48 hours. Levels are forecasted to rise an additional 0.2 m and peak tomorrow, Thursday, May 2. Water levels are expected to be 0.2 m higher than the May 2017 flood.
Due to the forecast uncertainty it is difficult to accurately predict how quickly water levels will rise and when river conditions may peak.
Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.
This FLOOD WARNING is in effect until Saturday, May 4, 2019.
RVCA and its Ottawa partners, MVCA and SNC monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.
To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.
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"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and natural resource conservation."
RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:
- Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
- Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.
