Water levels are finally receding on Christie and Bobs Lakes both of which have had high water since the two bouts of heavy rain three weeks ago.
Bobs Lake levels were high from the spring runoff in April. The rain recorded at Bolingbroke, about 90 millimetres over the four days from May 4 through 7, was similar to what fell over much of the eastern parts of Ontario. The increase of Bobs lake levels made it necessary for Parks Canada staff to release water through the Bolingbroke Dam. Christie Lake has been the unfortunate recipient of the excess water from Bobs Lake. Residents around Christie Lake are again able to access their properties to begin the cleanup process.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority will maintain a Flood Watch into next week with rain forecast for several days beginning on Sunday. Levels can be expected to increase slightly but are not expected to return to flood stage in the Rideau watershed nor on the Ottawa River. On the Rideau Canal, scheduled to open for navigation last weekend, all locks on the Rideau except Narrows and Newboro on Upper Rideau Lake remain closed as of this writing.

Note that, despite flows and levels tending toward normal or the time of year, conditions around rivers and lakes continue to be hazardous with water temperatures still cold and water levels relatively high. Everyone, especially children, are advised to stay away.

The public is encouraged to tag us or share photos of water conditions in their area at 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, check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days .