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March 19, 2020
Flood Outlook & Updated Flood Watch: Rideau Valley Watershed
Flood Outlook & Updated Flood Watch - Warm Temperatures and Rain in Forecast Will Cause Water Levels to Increase Across the Rideau Valley Watershed (WCS – R04/2020) March 19 ,2020 – The short-term forecast is calling for rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 mm and high temperatures near 15 degrees Celsius on Friday, followed by below zero temperatures on Saturday, and then milder temperatures in the days following. No significant rain is in the short-term forecast after Friday. With Friday’s rain and high temperatures, water levels and flows across the Rideau Valley Watershed are expected to increase everywhere and then…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
June 04, 2020
Minor Low Water Conditions in Rideau Valley Watershed
June 4, 2020 – Due to below average rainfall in April and May, conditions in the Rideau Valley Watershed now meet the threshold for Minor Low Water status under the Ontario Low Water Response Program. Watershed residents and businesses are encouraged to conserve water during dry conditions. Although stream flow values are not currently below any of the low water thresholds, the stream flow values are lower than normal by as much as 30 to 50 percent and field observations indicate that ecological conditions are becoming stressed. The average 90-day rainfall measured at climate stations in and around the watershed…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
June 25, 2020 – This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed is now at MODERATE severity under the Ontario Low Water Responses Program. Although some areas of the watershed have received more rain than others, the watershed has received very little rainfall over the past three months. The average 90-day rainfall measured at climate stations in and around the watershed is below 80 per cent of normal for this time of year. In the past 30 days, average rainfall is well below 50 per cent of normal. Looking ahead, the seven-day weather forecast…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
(WCS-LW - 3/2020) July 15, 2020 – This statement is to advise that the low water status in the Rideau River watershed continues to be at MODERATE severity under the Ontario Low Water Responses Program. Although varying amounts of rain fell across the watershed last weekend, the watershed has still received very little rainfall over the past three months. The average 90-day rainfall measured at climate stations in and around the watershed is below 60 per cent of normal for this time of year. In the past 30 days, average rainfall is below 45 per cent of normal. The recent hot weather…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
September 02, 2020
Low Water Status Returned to “Normal” in Rideau Valley Watershed
(WCS-LW - 52/2020) September 2, 2020 — Watershed conditions in the Rideau Valley Watershed have returned to “Normal’ under the Ontario Low Water Response Program. With significant precipitation during the last month, the amount of rainfall received throughout the watershed is at or above average values for this time of year. As a result of this precipitation, stream flows and water levels are now at or above average values for this time of year. Looking ahead, the seven-day weather forecasts suggests we’ll continue to receive more rain. Parks Canada continues to closely monitor the water levels throughout the Rideau Canal system inside…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
(WCS-LW - 2/2021) July 6, 2021 — The Rideau Valley Low Water Response Team is maintaining a MINOR low water status for the Rideau River watershed after officials met to discuss dry conditions on Tuesday, July 6. Watershed residents and businesses are encouraged to continue to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent. This is especially important for those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources and all residents on private, communal or municipal wells. There is less of a concern for residents of urban Ottawa because the City of Ottawa central drinking water system draws from…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
(WCS-LW - 1/2023)July 11, 2023 – Following a period of dry and hot weather, the Rideau Valley Low Water Response Team is declaring a MINOR low water status for the Tay River and Rideau Lakes watersheds (referred to as Upper Rideau Valley watershed), after officials met to discuss current watershed conditions on Monday, July 10, 2023. Upper Rideau Valley watershed residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent. This is especially important for those who have permits for taking water from surface or groundwater sources and all residents on private, communal or municipal wells. The requested…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
August 09, 2023
Low Water Status Now ‘Normal’ in Tay River and Rideau Lakes; Water Levels Remain Low in Bobs and Christie Lakes
(WCS-LW - 2/2023)August 9, 2023 – Watershed conditions in the Tay River and Rideau Lakes watersheds have returned to “Normal’ under the Ontario Low Water Response Program. However, the water levels in Bobs and Christie Lakes, which are used throughout the recreational season to augment the flow in the Tay River and regulate navigation in the Rideau River, are still below average for this time of year. Parks Canada staff continue to closely monitor these lakes and expect the water levels to approach normal levels with rain in the forecast. With well above-average rainfall amounts across the watershed during the last…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
September 08, 2021
Minor Low Water Conditions Persist Due to Warm, Dry August
(WCS-LW - 4/2021) Sept. 8, 2021 —The Rideau Valley Water Response Team is maintaining a MINOR low water status for the Rideau River watershed after officials met to discuss conditions on Wed. Sept. 8. This low water status is a result of a warm and dry August. The August Weather Summary prepared by Environment and Climate Change Canada indicates that the average temperature at the Ottawa Airport was 2.4 °Celcius above normal and the monthly precipitation total was 57 percent of normal. Watershed residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10 percent. This is especially important for those who…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
(WCS – R05/2021)September 22, 2021 – Environment Canada is forecasting rainfall amounts of 60 to 90 mm starting today through early Friday morning, with a few localities possibly exceeding 100 mm. The higher amounts are forecasted for the upper part of the Rideau Valley Watershed. This widespread rainfall event is due to a cold front and a moisture-laden low pressure system that will arrive from the American Midwest. Because the Rideau Valley Watershed is currently in a ‘minor low water condition,’ all water levels and flows are currently below normal, so significant flooding is not expected. However, this large rain…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
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October 06, 2021
Low Water Status Returned to “Normal” in Rideau Valley Watershed
(WCS-LW - 5/2021)October 6, 2021 – Watershed conditions in the Rideau Valley Watershed have returned to “Normal’ under the Ontario Low Water Response Program. With above average rainfall amounts across the watershed over the last month, stream flows and water levels have recovered from the previous low water status and are now above average for this time of year. Parks Canada continues to closely monitor the water levels throughout the Rideau Canal system inside the Rideau Valley watershed. Water levels in the reservoir lakes, located in the upper reaches of the Rideau Valley watershed, are now near normal for this time…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 04, 2022
Mild Temperatures and Rain on Sunday May Increase Water Levels and Flows and Cause Unstable Ice Across Watershed
(WCS – R02/2022)March 4, 2022 – Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures above 10 degrees Celcius and rain on Sunday. This weather event will likely result in elevated water runoff to all waterways because of snow melt and rainfall. 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 snow melts and 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,…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 08, 2022
Spring Flood Outlook: Current Conditions Favourable for Slow Snow Melt Across the Watershed
(WCS – R03/2022)March 8, 2022 – The winter of 2021/22 is quickly coming to an end, and RVCA’s Flood Forecasting team is working closely with its municipal and agency partners to prepare for potential spring flooding. To date, the spring flood outlook remains positive. December was generally mild with below average precipitation, while temperatures in January were well below normal. Precipitation in January was also below normal but a large storm mid-January left almost 50 cm of snow on the ground. In February, both the temperature and precipitation amounts were very close to normal. Early March conditions at several RVCA and…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 15, 2022
Warm Temperatures and Possible Rain Will Cause Increased Water Levels Across Rideau Valley Watershed
(WCS – R04/2022)March 15, 2022 – The current short-term weather forecast indicates warm daytime temperatures this week, with Thursday’s temperature above 10 degrees Celsius, and night-time low temperatures near zero. The short-term forecast also indicates that a substantial rain event could occur on Sat. March 19. Current conditions at several RVCA and Park Canada snow course sites indicate near normal amounts of snow for this time of year. If the temperatures come as forecast in the coming days, significant snowmelt is expected across the Rideau Valley watershed. This will increase water levels and cause some flooding in all low-lying areas, especially…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
