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 the ground. The combination of rain and snowmelt is expected to cause water levels and flows to increase rapidly and may result in flooding in area streams and low-lying areas.

Residents are advised to stay away from all rivers and watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain these dangers to their children.

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and issue further statements as conditions warrant.

"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed
created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and
natural resource conservation."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

• Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
• Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
  Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood-prone areas should prepare.
  Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in area watercourses.

December 5, 2018 – This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed is returned to “Normal” including the Kemptville Creek sub-watershed.

Precipitation over the last month has brought stream flows up to historical averages throughout the Rideau watershed. Runoff from the rain and snowmelt caused levels to rise late in November.

The impacts of low flows experienced throughout 2018, particularly in the Kemptville Creek subwatershed, will not be known until next spring. With inflows well below normal, fish and other inhabitants of the creek struggled to survive in the intermittent ponds left by the dry weather.

Despite the early onset of wintry conditions, stable ice cover has not yet formed. Watershed residents are advised to stay away from streams and lakes to allow ice to form fully.

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Statements will be issued as conditions warrant.

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.
• Parks Canada Infonet: https://w ww.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet/tirant-deau-draft
• RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
• Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels.

December 5, 2018 – This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed is returned to “Normal” including the Kemptville Creek sub-watershed.

Precipitation over the last month has brought stream flows up to historical averages throughout the Rideau watershed. Runoff from the rain and snowmelt caused levels to rise late in November.

The impacts of low flows experienced throughout 2018, particularly in the Kemptville Creek subwatershed, will not be known until next spring. With inflows well below normal, fish and other inhabitants of the creek struggled to survive in the intermittent ponds left by the dry weather.

Despite the early onset of wintry conditions, stable ice cover has not yet formed. Watershed residents are advised to stay away from streams and lakes to allow ice to form fully.

Conservation Authority staff continue to monitor conditions and communicate with water managers throughout the watershed. Statements will be issued as conditions warrant.

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.
• Parks Canada Infonet: https://w ww.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet/tirant-deau-draft
• RVCA website: www.rvca.ca
• Hourly and daily streamflows and water levels: https://www.rvca.ca/watershed-monitoring-reporting/reporting/streamflow-water-levels.

November 23, 2018, MANOTICK, ON — The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is pleased to announce the launch of its new corporate logo. The RVCA revealed its new logo at its November Board of Directors meeting last night. The new streamlined logo reflects a modernized brand while maintaining the RVCA’s deep-rooted history in watershed management.

“We’re excited to update the RVCA brand with a new design that honors our roots and represents our ongoing commitment to the watershed communities we serve,” says Sommer Casgrain-Roberston, RVCA General Manager. “We recently celebrated our 50^th anniversary and completed a year-long strategic review. As part of these milestones, we decided an updated logo was a positive and logical next step.”

For over 50 years the RVCA has worked to protect the health of the Rideau Watershed and the people who live in it through environmental monitoring and reporting, on-the-ground restoration and stewardship, conservation lands and education, development review and approval and flood forecasting and warning. The RVCA aims to protect water quality and water supplies, reduce flood risk and erosion hazards, improve habitats and increase conservation lands throughout its 4,234 square kilometre watershed located in eastern Ontario.

The modernized logo reflects the dynamic, fluid organization the RVCA is today but still retains the integrity of the old logo with trees and water as the central visual elements. Colours have been brightened to increase visibility, and the font has been changed to be bolder and more readable.

“This is our first ever logo update since the formation of the RVCA in 1966,” said Ms. Casgrain-Roberston. “The new logo recognizes our past, present and future while adding a modern spirit. We are excited to share it with our watershed residents.”

The new design was created in-house by RVCA Communications staff. The public will likely see both logos in use for some time as current stocks of branded materials are depleted before a full transition to the new look.

EASTERN ONTARIO, November 19, 2018 — Thanks to the hard work and fundraising efforts of the Friends of Foley Mountain, hundreds of students will be able to experience the wonder of Foley Mountain trails by snowshoe this winter. Forty-four new pairs of snowshoes arrived at the Conservation Area last week, just in time for winter programing.

Foley Mountain Conservation Area, owned and operated by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), welcomes over 2,500 students annually to learn about nature and their local environment. Winter programing has traditionally included the opportunity for students to experience one of the oldest forms of transportation in Canada. Students learn how to safely travel with snowshoes and, once comfortable, follow the snowshoe trail through the forest and try snowshoe games.

“Our snowshoe program has been very popular — which is amazing! But it means we need more shoes or have to replace worn equipment to accommodate the demand,” said Rebecca Whitman, Foley Mountain Area Supervisor and Outdoor Educator. “We are delighted to have partners like the Friends of Foley Mountain and Trailhead Kingston who want to help us maintain our programs and keep programs accessible to schools and students from Eastern Ontario.”

“The Friends of Foley Mountain are pleased to help make education programing at Foley Mountain more accessible to the communities it serves,” Rob Struthers, President of Friends of Foley Mountain. “We look to support actions that remove barriers and help more people get out into nature — through accessible trails, low program cost and special busing subsidies, supporting new program development like the Foley Mountain Forest School, and now, an increase in equipment. Children are our future and deserve our investments. It is with pride that the Friends of Foley Mountain continue to support RVCA in its education programs”

Foley Mountain’s snowshoe experience opens the door to an amazing winter learning for local students. Not only do these snowshoes allows classes to access the forest for outdoor learning, it also introduces students to a wonderful recreational activity. Snowshoes provide a great fitness and recreation option for the winter season.

Students learn snowshoeing techniques and trail etiquette along with important safety tips. Once comfortable, students follow the snowshoe trail to experience a winter wonderland of rugged Canadian Shield, hardwood forests, old growth white pine and yellow birch. And you never know what you may spy when out on the trails with one of Foley Mountain’s expert outdoor educators.

“Without the ongoing commitment from the Friends of Foley Mountain, we couldn’t work towards our goal of fostering a lifelong relationship between children and the natural world,” said Mrs. Whitman. “Thanks to the Friends, local youth can experience a wonderful adventure and learn best by doing.”

To learn more about the Friends of Foley Mountain and their fundraising initiatives, visit www.friendsoffoley.ca. To learn more about outdoor experiences at Foley Mountain Conservation Areas, visit www.rvca.ca.