OTTAWA AND WESTPORT AREA, January 29, 2020 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) is pleased to have received a $4,567 Greener Apron Grant through the Starbucks Foundation.

To help students access our outdoor education programs at Baxter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas the Greener Apron Grant covers bus fees through the RVCF.

Starbucks Greener Apron is a community of passionate employees who are committed to serving the planet. From promoting environmentally conscious best practices in stores, to nominating local non-profits to apply for grant funding, Greener Apron partners are sustainability champions making a difference in their stores and communities, every day.

“Thanks to Starbucks employee Denise Pagliaro of Manotick for nominating us for this program,” says Diane Downey, Executive Director of RVCF, “we are delighted to welcome another exceptional partner in our campaign to make outdoor education programs accessible to all.”

“Our children have so many beautiful memories thanks to the Rideau Valley Conversation Foundation – it was my pleasure to nominate them,” notes Denise.

The Greener Apron grant will cover transportation costs for 1200 children; that’s 20 school buses with two classes of thirty students each.

The programs are run by the RVCA certified outdoor education teachers at Baxter and Foley Mountain conservation areas. They welcome more than 10,000 elementary and secondary school students to their curriculum-based programs every year for hands-on experiences in nature, from catching frogs to snowshoeing.

There’s a growing body of evidence that learning through outdoor active play has positive effects on a child's physical, emotional, and intellectual health. More and more, children suffer from “nature deficit disorder” – a lack of connection with the natural world.

With support from the Greener Apron grant and other donors, the RVCA is fostering a new generation of confident explorers, nature-lovers and environmental stewards.

For more information about the RVCA’s educational programs, visit www.rvca.ca/outdoor-education. To support the Foundation’s conservation efforts, visit www.rvcf.ca.

January 14, 2020 – With high water levels and fast flows all across the Rideau Valley Watershed, the ice cover (where present) on lakes, ditches, local streams and rivers will be unstable. Extreme caution should be exercised by everyone when near local waterbodies. Parents should inform their children of the risks and provide appropriate supervision.

On average, 50mm of rain fell across the Rideau Valley Watershed last Saturday before the temperature dropped to below freezing, resulting in significantly elevated water levels and flows in all waterways. The smaller creeks and waterways were impacted the most with ‘bankfull’ conditions observed in some areas, although the water levels are now stable or receding.

Although the flow in the Rideau River, our largest river, peaked at four times its average flow for this time of year at the Carleton University gauge, the flow increase did not result in any observed ‘bankfull’ conditions along the river. With the exception of tomorrow, the weather forecast is indicating below zero temperatures for the next several days so water levels and flows are expected to decline.

Please note that the RVCA does not monitor ice conditions. The RVCA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning team will continue monitoring weather, snowpack, water level and flow conditions and issue updates as required.

This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Monday January 20, 2020 at 5 PM or until an update has been issued.

"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 specific watercourses or municipalities.

January 10, 2020 – Environment Canada is forecasting significant precipitation in the form of rain or drizzle, freezing rain, ice pellets and snow starting Friday and continuing into Sunday with the greatest precipitation amounts on Saturday. There remains a considerable amount of uncertainty on exact precipitation amounts and what form it will take, however, rainfall amounts of between 50 and 75 mm are possible throughout the Rideau Valley watershed. 

Although no significant flooding is anticipated, water levels and flows are expected to increase in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Depending on how much rain falls, residents who are adjacent to the smaller creeks and streams are advised to keep a close watch on water levels and flows and should take the necessary precautions to protect their property, such as:

• Ensuring sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve
• Ensuring easy access to a portable backup generator and pump

With the expected increase in water levels and flows in the coming days, ice cover on lakes, ditches, local streams and rivers will be unstable. Extreme caution should be exercised by everyone when near local waterbodies. Parents should inform their children of the risks and provide appropriate supervision.

This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Tuesday January 14, 2020 at 5 PM or until an update has been issued.

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 specific watercourses or municipalities.