Watch for dates to help us plant trees and shoreline shrubs. Our Shoreline Naturalization Program, City Stream Watch Program and various other special projects often look for people to help.

Rideau Valley Conservation’s stewardship projects offer opportunities to get your hands dirty while taking action in your community. We partner with private landowners, watershed residents, municipalities, and agricultural and academic communities to protect and enhance our natural environment. From habitat enhancement, to tree plantings and clean-ups, your efforts will have an immediate and positive impact on the local environment, and contribute to long-term sustainability.

Follow our volunteer calendar for upcoming events.

Winter 2016 took an unusually long time to arrive and has had trouble staying. Now it looks like it may be leaving early.

A record snowstorm on February 16, some rain on the 24 followed by cold has made for a frosty start to March. Conservation Authority staff measured the snow on the ground on March 1 finding the depth and water equivalent to be slightly above the historical average. The snow that fell on Tuesday night and into Wednesday has increased the snowpack to about 25 percent above normal for the time of year.

Weather forecasts indicate that temperatures will rise through the coming weekend and into next week to above freezing with little precipitation. That trend is expected to persist for at least the next two weeks. Generally, spring is forecast by The Weather Network to be warmer than normal and drier although there is the possibility of some further snow events and brief periods of cool temperatures.

If the warm temperatures come as forecast, much of the snow can be expected to be melted and water levels and flows to rise gradually over the next two weeks. This gradual process is expected to bring a minor peak with only low-lying areas along rivers and lakes likely to be inundated this spring.

City of Ottawa crews have begun the annual ice removal program on the Rideau River between Bronson Avenue and Rideau Falls. With the thaw expected next week and thinner ice than usual to start with, it may be easier going than in past years (more information: City of Ottawa information at 311).

Water levels on lakes and flows in the streams are presently at or slightly above normal for the time of year as a result of the January weather and thaws that happened through February. With the changing levels that can be expected over the next weeks, ice cover on lakes, ditches, local streams and rivers will be increasingly unstable. Caution should be exercised by everyone when near local waterbodies. Parents should inform their children of the risks and provide appropriate supervision.

RVCA will continue to monitor conditions and will issue further statements when or if there is an indication that the situation can be expected to change significantly.

With a definite declining trend of the water levels of Bobs Lake and Christie Lake, the Flood Watch that has been in effect specific to those lakes since April 11 is now cancelled.

With little precipitation over the last two weeks and, therefore, declining inflow to contend with, Parks Canada staff have been able to gradually bring the levels of both lakes back down to target operating ranges.

Water levels in the rest of the watershed are also decreasing and are close to averages for the time of year. However, the water is still relatively high and is cold. Caution is advised for anyone who has reason to be around water and children need to be warned of the risks.

RVCA will continue to monitor conditions and will issue further statements when or if there is an indication that conditions can be expected to change significantly.

The last significant rainfall in the Rideau River watershed on June 5 caused streamflows to increase and helped crop growth, but the effect has worn off and the lack of rain since has once again left flows dropping and crops in need of more water.

Rainfall recorded at Kemptville indicates that the Moderate Drought severity has been reached in the southern parts of the watershed. However, the drought severity overall in the watershed is still Minor but is expected to reach Moderate status late next week. Forecast rain next week is not expected to have a significant impact.

Streamflows increased to about 50% of normal after the June 5 rain but have declined again to about 15% of normal for the time of year. The present flow on the Jock River is less than what is typically seen during the annual lowest flow period in early September.

Small streams will be going dry which will put stress on the various aquatic species. Lake levels in the upper half of the watershed will continue to decline which can be expected to introduce more hazards to navigation. The challenge for Parks Canada staff to balance water levels in the reservoir lakes and the Canal will be increasingly difficult.

Staff at the Perth and the Smiths Falls Drinking Water Treatment Plants are monitoring the condition of the source waters and amending treatment as necessary.

While water conservation is recommended for everyone in the watershed as a normal practise it is less critical in the urban area of Ottawa that is served by a water system that draws from the Ottawa River. Those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources are encouraged to reduce their actual taking as much as possible and residents on wells will need to use water conservatively. Municipalities may invoke water use bylaws and residents should find out what bylaws are in effect in their municipalities regarding water use as well as outdoor fires.

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed through the Rideau Valley Water Response Team. An update of this statement will be issued on Thursday, June 23.

To learn more about Ontario’s Low Water Response program visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-water-responseprogram. Also, visit the RVCA website (www.rvca.ca) for local conditions.

In order that we can track impacts of the drought conditions in the watershed, we request that any individuals or businesses in the Rideau Watershed who may be experiencing difficulties with their wells please contact the Conservation Authority by calling 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504, ext. 1128 or 1132.

With no rain until Monday in weather forecasts, it is expected that the drought status for the Rideau River watershed will pass the threshold from Minor to Moderate Severity by Sunday. The amount of rain forecast for Monday will do little to reverse the trend of deepening drought.

Flows in the Rideau River at Ottawa are 15% of normal for the time of year. Larger tributary streams are about 6% of normal and many small streams are intermittent or dry. Aquatic habitat is becoming limited for all species.

The precipitation indicator for Moderate Drought of 60% of normal was reached last Sunday. Rainfall since then has had a minimal impact and conditions remain very dry.

Flows in the Rideau River at Ottawa are at 25% of normal for the time of year. Two of the major tributary streams, Jock River and Kemptville Creek, are both flowing at about 6% of normal. The Tay River is in relatively better shape benefitting from outflow from Bobs Lake, one of the Rideau Canal reservoir lakes. Smaller streams are intermittent or dry and aquatic habitat is compromised for all species.

Sporadic and random rainfall over the last week was not enough to bring the Rideau River watershed out of the Severe Drought status reached in mid-August

Previous rain in August did cause flows and levels to increase but only for a brief period. With rain coming in small cells that affected very limited areas, levels have quickly declined again. Forecast for this week has a total of 20 millimetres possible that will not have a significant impact.

PLANS 

RVCA 2020 Flood Contingency Plan 

FACTSHEETS

After the Flood: Frequently Asked Questions of the Conservation Aluthority and the Ottawa Septic System Office

What Should You Do If You Are At Risk Of Flooding?

Cleaning Up After the Flood Proper Handling and Disposal of Sandbags

LINKS

City of Ottawa: Flood Information

Get Prepared

Ottawa River Water Levels

Environment Canada Flood Forecasting Centres Across Canada

Emergency Management Ontario

Public Safety Canada — Floods in Canada

Government of Canada Self-help Brochure: Floods — What to do Before and After

Conservation Ontario — Flood Facts Fact Sheet

VIDEOS

A New Type of River Management is Coming!
Early Spring Water Safety (Source: Quinte Conservation)

Feeling the impact of a drought in the Rideau Valley? Any individuals or businesses experiencing problems due to low water are encouraged to contact the Water Response Team to help us track and understand local conditions.

Email us using the Subject: Drought Impacts.
Include the following details in your email:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your phone number and
• comments how the drought is impacting you.

Links

Low Water Response Program — How the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Manages Water use During a Drought 

Tips on How To Manage your Water Well in Times of Water Shortage 

Dry Conditions and Low Water 

Tips — How to Conserve Water

• Filling wells with surface water, or potable water is not recommended. Installing a holding tank that links to a household system, and filling that with potable water is a better option.
• Removing water from streams and lakes for watering lawns or gardens may cause problems for other users.

In the yard

• Brown grass is only dormant, not dead. Grass only needs 25 mm of water each week to do well, any more can weaken the roots.
• 20 L (5 gal) of water once a week will help trees survive dry conditions.
• Don't water lawns and gardens when a municipal water shortage warning is in effect.
• If you must water, only water gardens and lawns once a week, no more than one inch in total, including rain.
• Avoid watering on windy days and water your lawn and plants in the morning — evaporation occurs at a slower rate than if you watered in the hot sun.
• Cut grass less frequently and cut grass higher as it reduces evaporation and increases moisture.
• Collect and use rainwater for your lawn and gardens — it's free and better for your plants than municipally supplied water or well water. Consider buying a rain barrel.
• Plant drought resistant plants — convert your lawns to low-care perennials.

Your car

• Don't wash your car when a municipal water shortage warning is in effect.
• Use commercial car washes that recycle their water.
• If you do wash your car, do it on the lawn. Use a bucket of soapy water and the bare minimum to rinse it off.

In the kitchen

• Rinse fruits and vegetables by putting a little water in the sink or a bowl instead of running water.
• When hand washing dishes, plug the drain and do them all at once.
• Run the dishwasher with full loads only.
• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave, not under running water.
• For cold water to drink, keep a jug in the fridge instead of running the tap.

In the bathroom

• Install a low-flush toilet or install a toilet dam in your toilet tank to reduce water use.
• Keep showers to five minutes or less.
• Consider buying a water efficient showerhead.
• If you must take a bath, fill the tub with only the amount of water really needed to clean yourself (1/4 full).
• When cleaning your teeth, don’t keep the tap running, use a glass to rinse. Rinsing a toothbrush under a tap wastes about 4,000 litres of water a year.
• Replace all leaky tap washers, they can waste more than 400 litres of water a day. Repair all leaks in pipes and toilets as well.

Laundry

• Wash clothes only when you have a full load.