July 10, 2018 –  This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Rideau River watershed are now at the threshold for Minor Low Water status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Rainfall in the last 90 days, measured at climate stations in and around the watershed, is about 80% of the normal amount for the time of year which is the threshold for Minor Low Water. The present heat wave with several daytime high temperatures above 30 degrees has burned lawns and wilted plants in gardens. Lake levels and streamflows are below normal for the time of year but are still above critical thresholds. Smaller streams will be drying up as they do most years. There is flow in larger streams in the watershed but it is declining.

With the hot weather that continues to cause considerable evaporation, Rideau Canal reservoir lakes are at levels typical of early August. There is, though, sufficient water for Parks Canada – Ontario Waterways to state that draft and navigation are normal throughout the Rideau Canal system.

Conditions are expected to decline with no significant rain in the present 5 day forecasts. Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Updates to this message will be issued as conditions warrant. 

All watershed residents are encouraged to conserve water at all times but they should be particularly conservative when low water conditions occur.

Other relevant information sources are:

• Ministry of Environment and Climate Change: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage
• Ontario’s Low Water Response program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program. 
• RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
• Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels 

July 10, 2018 –  This statement is to advise that present conditions in the Rideau River watershed are now at the threshold for Minor Low Water status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program.

Rainfall in the last 90 days, measured at climate stations in and around the watershed, is about 80% of the normal amount for the time of year which is the threshold for Minor Low Water. The present heat wave with several daytime high temperatures above 30 degrees has burned lawns and wilted plants in gardens. Lake levels and streamflows are below normal for the time of year but are still above critical thresholds. Smaller streams will be drying up as they do most years. There is flow in larger streams in the watershed but it is declining.

With the hot weather that continues to cause considerable evaporation, Rideau Canal reservoir lakes are at levels typical of early August. There is, though, sufficient water for Parks Canada – Ontario Waterways to state that draft and navigation are normal throughout the Rideau Canal system.

Conditions are expected to decline with no significant rain in the present 5 day forecasts. Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Updates to this message will be issued as conditions warrant. 

All watershed residents are encouraged to conserve water at all times but they should be particularly conservative when low water conditions occur.

Other relevant information sources are:

• Ministry of Environment and Climate Change: https://www.ontario.ca/page/managing-your-water-well-times-water-shortage
• Ontario’s Low Water Response program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-response-program. 
• RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
• Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels 

RIDEAU VALLEY WATERSHED, July 3, 2018 — The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) celebrated the planting of their six millionth tree on Thursday, June 28.

This special tree is hidden among the over 275,000 seedlings planted this spring throughout the watershed — somewhere in the over 4,000 square kilometres of ground between the City of Ottawa and South Frontenac Township north of Kingston.

This achievement was celebrated with a ceremonial tree dedication at the RVCA’s Perth Wildlife Reserve.

Thanks to the many, community-minded funding partners, over $5.7 million has been raised to support tree planting since 1983 — much of these funds come through the continued support of key green investors including Carleton Refrigeration, the City of Ottawa, Eastern Ontario Model Forest, Forests Ontario, McGarry Funeral Homes, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, Newcap LiVE 88.5, Pratt & Whitney Canada and the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.

The total value of the local reforestation effort including the landowner contributions is closer to $9.8 million and has resulted in over 26.9 square kilometres (2,686 hectares) of idle or marginal land being converted into thriving, treed landscapes.

“We are delighted to share this major milestone with our municipal and community minded-funding partners,” said RVCA Chair Lyle Pederson. “We are grateful to our watershed municipalities for investing in our green infrastructure. The additional commitment from landowners and our business community is a reflection of our shared desire for a healthy, green sustainable watershed. Thank you to all our partners and especially the generous donors who support our tree planting program.”

RVCA staff are currently looking for next year’s planting partners. Landowners who are interested in having one acre or more (0.4 hectares) planted in trees can contact the RVCA to learn more about the program or book a free site visit. The RVCA’s full-service program includes free site visits with forestry experts, development of planting plans, site preparation, tree planting operations, follow-up assessments and operations to ensure long-term tree establishment. 

“As someone who has been involved in the RVCA tree planting program — I can speak to the professional staff, impressive financial incentives and the many benefits the tree planting program offers,” said Chair Pederson who encourages landowners to learn more about the RVCA’s reforestation programs by visiting the Conservation Authority’s website at www.rvca.ca or calling 1-800-267-3504 to speak to a member of the Forestry Team.

Photo caption – left to right:
Ottawa Councillor David Chernushenko, RVCA Board Member and Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Councillor Ray Scissons and RVCA Chair Lyle Pederson celebrate the planting of the RVCA’s 6 millionth tree with the dedication of a sugar maple at the Perth Wildlife Reserve.

RIDEAU WATERSHED, June 21, 2018 — How healthy is the Tay River? Readers can learn all about it in the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s (RVCA) Tay River Subwatershed Report. This information-loaded report summarizes the subwatershed’s health by looking at four indicators: forests, wetlands, shorelines and water quality. This is the second subwatershed report for the Tay River and compares baseline information collected from 2006 to 2017. Changes are small, but understanding how to prevent cumulative long-term changes is essential.

The Tay River begins its journey at Carnahan Lake, south of the Town of Sharbot Lake. From there it meanders northeast, draining water from 55 lakes into the Lower Rideau Lake at Port Elmsley. Along its way, the Tay flows through the Canadian Shield that defines many of the lakes in the area, including Long, Eagle, Crow and Bobs Lakes. From here downstream, the Tay takes on a more river-like form as it flows towards Christie Lake, before beginning the long descent through rich farmland and the Town of Perth to where it empties into Lower Rideau Lake.

RVCA’s monitoring efforts help us better understand watershed trends and help focus stewardship activities where they are needed the most. These subwatershed reports summarize RVCA information and are valuable tools for decision-makers at all levels — individuals, families, municipalities, counties and the province.

Conditions along the Tay River have remained similar to past years; however, now is always the best time to take steps to maintain, protect and improve our watershed conditions.

Efforts can be simple things like keeping shorelines natural and planting trees to more complicated municipal planning and development projects that protect surface water quality and aquatic habitat through the creation of riparian buffers, and application of stormwater best management practices. The report identifies what the RVCA, municipalities, residents, businesses, community groups and agricultural associations can do to help make environmental gains. 

For landowners looking to do their part, the RVCA provides a number of stewardship programs designed to improve watershed health. The programs provide technical expertise, grants and manpower. By connecting with landowners, the goal is to make real, on-the-ground improvements. Landowners who are interested in learning about possible projects can call the RVCA for details.

This report is part of a series including reports on the Lower Rideau (2012), Kemptville Creek (2013), Rideau Lakes (2014) and Middle Rideau (2015) and Jock River (2016), Next year, similar comparisons on watershed health will be made for the Lower Rideau Subwatershed. 

For your copy of this and other subwatershed reports, call the RVCA at 613-692-3571 ext. 1177 or visit watersheds.rvca.ca. For those looking for more scientific information, monitoring results will be available online this fall through the Tay’s 14 catchments reports.

Winter Forest School Registration open now 

Foley Mountain Forest School offers an alternative education in which children spend most of their time outside, playing and learning through experiential, hands-on activities that promote curiosity in an active and authentic learning environment. Students will receive the benefits of repeated and regular visits to a natural area, in a play and inquiry-based education setting.

Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.

Location: Foley Mountain Lane, Westport, ON — Google map

Programs that we offer:

• Family Forest School
• Kindergarten for children aged 4-5
• School age for children aged 6-12
• Family drop-in programs for all ages

PLEASE NOTE — We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!

PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

NEW PROGRAM – Family Forest School

Is your child a bit too young to join in our independent programs or are you just looking to be a part of their forest school experience? Well, this new program may be the perfect fit for you!

• The same play based, child centred learning environment as our other forest school programs. Enjoy play, stories, snack time, forest adventures, and more!
• A new forest school program for children aged 2-5 (younger or slightly older siblings are welcome to tag along) where a parent or guardian stays with the child during the program.
• Tuesdays from 9:30am – 11:30am offered in the same fall, winter, and spring sessions as our other programs. Registration is for the whole session.
• Supported by one of our skilled and experienced forest school educators.
• Cost per child is $18/morning.

Plus any applicable taxes.

To Register

Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.

Kindergarten Program 

• Children ages 4-5 years
• Program runs from 9am – 12pm
• Cost per child is $30/morning.
• Participants must be able to use the toilet independently
• Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Plus any applicable taxes.

To Register

Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list.  Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.

School Age Program

• For children aged 6–12
• Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day.

Plus any applicable taxes.

To Register

Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list.  Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.

Forest School FREE Family Drop In Programs 

Pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest! Thanks to the Township of Rideau Lakes, we are offering FREE family drop-in program. 

2024 Drop In Programs

• April 20, from 10-11:30 am  Waitlist Only
• May 18, from 10-11:30 am  Waitlist Only
• June 15, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
• July 20, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
• August 17, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
• September 21, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
• October 19, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
• November 16, from 10-11:30 am
• December 21, from 10-11:30 am

General Information: 

• All ages of children welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
• PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and group size will be limited - please complete the registration request form to pre-register or be added to the waitlist.  
• FREE of cost

Our Community Partners