Rain forecast for Friday and Saturday is expected to cause levels to increase again..
Parks Canada staff had begun preparations for the opening of the Rideau Canal navigation season prior to the heavy rain last Monday. Dams that had been closed had to be re-opened to pass water through the system to bring levels down.
The level on the Long Reach had begun to decline but will increase again due to rain that is forecast for Friday and Saturday. A widespread weather system is forecast to drop a two day total of 35 to 70 millimetres of rain on Eastern Ontario. Communities along the Long Reach of the Rideau between Kars and Kemptville should anticipate having their access roads flooded.
The Rideau Canal reservoir lakes, Bobs, Wolfe, Upper Rideau and Big Rideau, have all had levels increase due to the rain last Monday. Levels are now well above the Full Supply on all four lakes. Full Supply is the threshold above which damages can occur. Wolfe and Upper Rideau levels have just begun to decline. Attempts to bring levels down on Bobs and Big Rideau Lakes have not yet been successful. Levels on all lakes can be expected to increase through until late Sunday or Monday.
Driving or walking in flowing water more than 30 centimetres deep is not advised. Parents need to inform children about the dangers of going near flooded areas and fast moving water in streams and ditches.
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, also check the webpage of the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board at http://ottawariver.ca/river-levels-flows.php#river-levels-flows-7-days.
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.
