November 3, 2017 –  Rain forecast for Sunday could raise water levels again.

In the order of 25 to 30 millimetres of rain fell on the Rideau watershed yesterday and this morning, less than was forecast. The rain was not enough to raise water levels significantly.

Rain now forecast for Sunday has the potential to be enough to raise the already elevated flows. Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry meteorologists have forecast 10 to 25 mm of rain on Sunday which could increase to a total of 40 to 75 mm if thunderstorms occur on Sunday night. The result could be localized with increased flows confined to small areas. Or the rain could fall more generally throughout the watershed which again raises the possibility of flooding low-lying areas that have already been affected in the Long Reach.  

The Tay in Perth remains a problem with flows limited to the Little Tay. This has caused high flows through Stewart Park. Monitoring of the construction site at the Haggart Island Dams will continue.

Flows in Kemptville Creek have continued to rise despite adjustments to the Oxford Mills Dam. Present flows are below typical spring flows but are ten times the normal for this time of year.

Residents are advised to stay away from rivers as the forecasted weather may rapidly increase river flows, and cause slippery river banks.  Parents are encouraged to explain these dangers to their children.

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-monitoring-reporting/monitoring/surface-water-quantitiy

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 - 42/2017)