An unusual amount of snow for this time of year is expected to cause lake levels in the upper part of the Rideau River watershed to rise as the snow melts over the next several days.

Water levels can be expected to increase throughout the watershed but levels to flood stage could occur on Bobs and Christie Lakes. With the level of Bobs Lake close to the Full Supply Threshold, water has to be released. However, the release is being done as gradually as possible to minimize the impacts on both lakes. While levels are likely to increase downstream of Christie Lake, no flooding is expected.

Money is available to landowners interested in planting trees. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority offers private landowners tree planting programs that help them get technical advice, planting plans and funding for trees.

“We have numerous community-minded partners providing funding to projects to help reduce landowner costs,” says Scott Danford, RVCA Forestry Program Manager. “We offer planting programs that make it easy and affordable for landowners.”

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) Board of Directors formally acknowledged the 50 year anniversary of the Conservation Authority’s formation at their meeting last night.

“We are delighted to celebrate 50 years of conservation,” announced RVCA Chair Lyle Pederson as he unveiled the Authority’s special 50-year logo. “This will be a year to share our successes and how they have made a significant contribution to the health and prosperity of our watershed.”

Flows in all watercourses in the Rideau River watershed can be expected to increase through today as a result of a significant rain event.

Forecasts of heavy rains today in the province east of Georgian Bay will have an impact on the Rideau River watershed. With rainfall in the order of 30 mm possible, flows can be expected to increase again to similar flows as what was reached earlier in March. This could once again bring flooding of the lowest lying areas along rivers and streams and on lakes and ponds.

Flows in all watercourses in the Rideau River watershed increased through the weekend and may have peaked on Monday. However, with rain forecast for tomorrow, flows may rise slightly higher by Wednesday night than what was reached yesterday. This could bring flooding of the lowest lying areas along streams.

Below freezing temperatures are forecast for Friday and into next week. This freeze-up will cause water levels to decline quickly. With the changing water levels and ice formation due to the colder temperatures, caution around water is advised and children need to be warned of the risks.

An unusually warm string of temperatures that are forecast to continue through next week are rapidly reducing the snowpack. Flows in all watercourses have increased significantly over the last two days. This increase will continue through the weekend until the snow cover is gone on Sunday night. Further increases in water levels will depend on whether or not the 10 to 20 millimetres of rain presently forecast for Monday to Wednesday occurs and when it falls.

The impact of the melt and rain is expected to be a peak flow on March 17 in the order of 280 cubic metres per second as measured at the streamgauge at Carleton University. Such a flow is below average and not expected to cause flooding of any more than lowest lying areas along the streams and rivers in the watershed.

A mix of precipitation forecast for tonight through to Thursday can be expected to cause some increase in levels in in all watercourses throughout the Rideau River Valley.

It is unclear what will be the predominant form of precipitation that will fall over the next two days. If it is mainly rain, much of that will be retained in the snowpack but some runoff can be expected to occur and water levels will increase on all watercourses.

Brewer Park Pond Restoration Project has received the Top Canadian Fishing Industry Conservation Project Award for 2015. This award, presented at the Spring Fishing and Boat Show at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON is determined by a vote of the members of the Canadian Angling Hall of Fame.

For Muskies Canada (Ottawa Chapter) and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), this is the second year in a row where one of their partnership projects has received recognition. In 2014, the partners were recognized for work to create nursery and feeding habitat for fish along the Jock River in Richmond.

After waiting for so long for snow to arrive, above freezing temperatures and rain forecast for tomorrow and Sunday can be expected to reduce the snow cover and cause increased water levels and flows in the Rideau watershed.

Water levels on lakes and flows in watercourses are close to normal for the time of year. However, as conditions change through this thaw period, levels will increase and ice on lakes, ditches, local streams and rivers that had just begun to form will become more unstable posing potential safety risks. Caution should be exercised by everyone when near local streams and rivers. Parents should inform their children of the risks associated with increased flows and unstable ice conditions in area watercourses and provide appropriate supervision. An extended period of cold temperatures is needed for a stable ice cover to form.

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