Watershed Conditions Statements
March 30, 2019
Forecast Rain Will Likely Impact Long Reach Waterfront Communities, and Low-lying Areas Along the Jock River and Stevens Creek
March 30, 2019 – After today’s snow and freezing-rain stops, a rainfall in the order of twenty-five millimetres is forecast before the system ends sometime tomorrow. This rainfall, along with runoff from melting snow, is expected to increase water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Furthermore, flooding will most likely to occur in the following areas: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed. This would include the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek (near North Gower), and any connected creeks or ditches.…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 29, 2019 – Since early March, we have experienced a very gradual snow melt with limited precipitation across much of the Rideau Valley Watershed. In the lower Rideau Valley Watershed (North Grenville and Ottawa) and in the Tay Valley Watershed, there still remains above average snow pack which indicates a potential for above average flooding in low lying areas adjacent to any rivers, creeks or ditches. The current weather forecast indicates that it will remain cool (near freezing) for Saturday and Sunday with a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow on Saturday. However, there is uncertainty about how…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 19, 2019
Snow Melt Gradual, But Still Be Prepared for Spring Flooding Across the Rideau Valley Watershed
March 19, 2019 – Despite some gradual snow melting over the last two weeks, the snowpack throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed remains above average so there is still a potential for above average flooding this spring across the Rideau Valley Watershed, especially in low lying areas which have flooded in the past. However, the current weather forecast until end of March is indicating that daytime temperatures with single digit highs and below zero conditions at night with very little precipitation, so no significant flooding is anticipated in the next week or so. This could change if the forecast changes (i.e.,…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 06, 2019
With High Snowpack, Be Prepared for Spring Flooding Across the Rideau Valley Watershed
March 6, 2019 – The winter of 2018-19 has been an old-fashioned winter with lots of snow (over 250 cm to-date) and no significant thaw events. As such, the snowpack throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed is well above average. Current conditions at several RVCA snow course sites are indicating near record water content amounts in the snow for this time of year, generally not seen since the late 1970s. Based solely on the fact we have above average water content, there is a potential for above average flooding this spring across the Rideau Valley Watershed, especially in low lying areas…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
January 21, 2019 — The current very cold weather and large snow storm yesterday is creating some localized ice jams which can cause significant fluctuations in water levels as ice builds and releases. More specifically, the RVCA has received reports of ice jams in the Tay River at Port Elmsley which is causing flooding of some residential properties. There may be other areas as well where ice jams have formed and are causing localized flooding, especially along the Tay River. Since ice jams can form anywhere that there is open water, it is difficult to predict where or when they can…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
December 20, 2018
Heavy Rains will lead to Unsafe Conditions on Rivers and Lakes Throughout Rideau Watershed
December 20, 2018 — A significant weather system is expected to cross through our area over the next two days. Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting up to 40 mm of rain starting tonight, Thursday, December 20 through Friday, December 21. The forecast calls for above freezing temperatures during the day on Friday. Water levels across the Rideau Valley watershed are generally normal to slightly below normal and the amount of snow cover is slightly below normal for this time of year. The forecasted heavy rain and warm air temperatures are expected to melt most of the snow on…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
