Heavy rain forecast for today and overnight are expected to cause elevated water levels throughout the Rideau River watershed. 

With very little rain through September and October, flows on the Rideau system had fallen below the long term average for the time of year. As much as 100 millimetres of rain have been forecast for the next 24 hours. This amount of rain can be expected to raise water levels throughout the system. With the Rideau Lakes at winter levels, it is anticipated that there is capacity to accommodate the rain in the upper watershed with little impact. 

In the Tay Subwatershed, adjustments will be made to the construction area at Haggart Island Dam in Perth to accommodate increased flows.

However, the Long Reach of the Rideau between Long Island and Burritts Rapids was scheduled for the draw down to begin on October 30 and is still at navigation level. The rainfall forecast is similar to what fell on July 24, 2017 which means flooding can be expected in low lying areas. This could include access roads to small communities along the Long Reach as well as on Kemptville Creek downstream of Kemptville. 

As always, with levels up again in lakes, rivers and smaller streams, caution around the water for everyone is advised. 

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: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-programs/reporting/streamflow-water-levels .

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 . 

(WCS - 39/2017)