RIDEAU VALLEY WATERSHED, March 31, 2025 – A suite of new educational resources aims to help residents improve drainage and erosion on their properties while protecting water quality across the Rideau Valley.
Practical sustainable drainage techniques like installing a rain barrel or building a rain garden aim to slow, store or soak stormwater runoff before it reaches the water system.
Runoff can wash harmful chemicals, road salt, nutrients and sediment into local waterways, contributing to weedier lakes and rivers, more frequent harmful algal blooms and an overall decline in water quality, not to mention impacts on tourism and recreation.
Major storms can also cause flooding and erosion when stormwater doesn’t have time to soak more slowly into the ground.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s new 50-page workbook, The Property Owner’s Guide to Reducing Runoff, is designed to help landowners assess their drainage issues, determine which solutions apply to them and learn how to implement them. Practical, on-the-ground solutions cover all property types and range from simply redirecting your downspout into the garden to constructing a wetland on your rural property.
Complementary fact sheets offer more detail on the most common and cost-effective techniques: rain barrels, rain gardens, swales, permeable pavement and downspout redirection.
“We hope these resources will empower Rideau Valley residents to address drainage issues on their properties while supporting a thriving water system for everyone to enjoy,” said RVCA Surface Water Quality Co-Ordinator Haley Matschke. “These solutions offer a softer approach to stormwater management and often come with other benefits like beautification and habitat creation on your property.”
Pilot Project Focused on Village of Portland
The push for sustainable drainage began in 2022, when the Township of Rideau Lakes partnered with Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority and Big Rideau Lake Association to investigate water quality conditions within the Village of Portland.
Since then, the working group has monitored water quality in three storm drain systems within the village, reviewed proven sustainable drainage methods and recommended methods best suited to the Rideau Valley.
Armed with data and research, RVCA staff then installed seven catch basin filters to stop large-scale debris from entering Portland’s stormwater system, created demonstration rain gardens at Portland Bay Conservation Area and Hanna Park, and installed demonstration swales on Portland’s St. Mary’s and Queen streets.
“We are thrilled to work with our conservation partners to improve local water quality and protect our recreation and tourism economy,” said Tom Fehr, Manager of Development Services at the Township. “I hope every property owner checks out these easy-to-use resources so they can do their part to support our beautiful lakes.”
For more information contact Haley Matschke at
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