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Main Office Phone Numbers : 613-692-3571 / 1-800-267-3504
Staff Directory
“Severe” Drought Condition Continued
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
PO Box 599, 3889 Rideau Valley Drive
Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5 (corner of Prince of Wales & Rideau Valley Drive)
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Phone: 613-692-3571 | 1-800-267-3504 (toll-free)
Fax: 613-692-0831
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is headquarters to :
Ottawa Septic System Office
Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Office
LandOwner Resource Centre
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.
Spring Outlook
Bobs and Christie Lake Levels Declining
Drought Deepening Again
Drought Expected to become Moderately Severe
Drought Condition Continues at Moderate
Rideau Watershed still in “Severe” Drought Condition
More...
PLANS
RVCA 2020 Flood Contingency Plan
FACTSHEETS
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
Environment Canada Flood Forecasting Centres Across Canada
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
Tips on How To Manage your Water Well in Times of Water Shortage
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.
Our low flow index has four stages:
- Normal
- No low flow or drought conditions exist.
- Minor
- This category reflects concern.
80% to 60% of long-term average precipitation for 540 day and/or 90 day precipitation totals and/or 7-day average streamflows less than the 5 year return period low flow. - Moderate
- This category suggests a potentially serious problem is pending.
60% to 40% of long-term average precipitation for 540, 90 and/or 30 day precipitation totals and/or 7-day average streamflows less than the 10 year return period low flow. - Severe
- This category indicates a failure of the water supply to meet demand.
Less than 40% of long-term average precipitation for 540, 90 and/or 30 day precipitation totals and/or 7-day average streamflows less than the 10 year return period low flow.
Click here for the RVCA's Watershed Conditions Statements.
