News

March 30, 2023

FLOOD WATCH: Localized Flooding Possible as Precipitation, Warmer Weather Increase Rideau Valley Water Levels

(WCS – R04/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, March 30, 2023 – A Flood Watch has been issued for the Rideau Valley as a rainy weekend mixes with the residual snowpack still intact in some areas after a cool March. Potential flooding could begin to impact low-lying areas as early as Saturday and continue throughout next week. Since early March, we have experienced a very gradual snow melt with some precipitation across the Rideau Valley Watershed. As such, snow remains in some parts of our watershed, most prominently in the City of Ottawa and the Tay River watershed, which indicates a potential for flooding in…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

March 28, 2023

Seeking New Member for Local Source Protection Committee

MISSISSIPPI AND RIDEAU WATERSHEDS, March 28, 2023 — Do you care about the health of your drinking water? The Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region (MRSPR) is seeking a Source Protection Committee member who is interested in protecting municipal drinking water sources in the Mississippi and Rideau Valley watersheds. The Source Protection Committee oversees the implementation of science-based source protection plans to protect municipal water sources in the Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley watersheds. It meet several times a year in various locations across the region. The committee is looking for one public sector representative to liaise on behalf any of the following seats: environmental,…

Published in Media Release

March 22, 2023

FLOOD OUTLOOK: Water Levels Expected to Increase Across the Rideau Valley

(WCS – R03/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, March 23, 2023 – A cool March combined with above-average snowfall amounts this winter means the snowpack is higher than average for this time of year across much of the Rideau Valley Watershed. This creates potential for above-average flooding in all low-lying areas adjacent to any rivers, creeks or ditches. The short-term weather forecast indicates rain amounts of 15-25 mm on Thurs. March 23 with temperatures well above zero, and cooler temperatures on Friday. Another precipitation event is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, but it’s unclear how much precipitation will fall, and if it will come…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

March 14, 2023

It's March! Don’t let huts or hockey nets go down with the ice

OTTAWA, March 14, 2023 – It’s officially March, and that means it's time to haul in your fishing huts, hockey nets and other gear before the ice is out. Building materials, rink lights, benches and shovels, garbage and other waste can pollute our rivers and lakes, be toxic for fish and wildlife and create hazards for boaters and swimmers in the spring. Under Ontario law, Eastern Ontario fishing huts must be removed by March 15. However, as the sun gets stronger and the weather begins to warm, it’s wise to remove them sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you…

Published in Media Release

March 09, 2023

SPRING OUTLOOK - With High Snowpack, Prepare for Spring Flooding Across the Rideau Valley

(WCS – R02/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, March 9, 2023 – The winter of 2022-23 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. As discussed below, it is important to be prepared for possible flood conditions over the next few weeks as spring returns to the Rideau Valley watershed. Current conditions: This winter has been unusually mild with some rain events and approximately 300 cm of snow fallen to date in the Ottawa area. The snowpack varies throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed, but in general the…

Published in Watershed Conditions Statements

March 03, 2023

North Grenville councillor elected RVCA board chair

MANOTICK, March 3, 2023 – North Grenville Councillor Kristin Strackerjan is the new board chair for the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). Strackerjan was elected at the RVCA’s board meeting on Feb. 23. Anne Robinson, citizen representative for the City of Ottawa, was elected vice chair. “My time on the RVCA board has been very interesting, and adding the responsibility of chair will allow me to be further engaged in other areas of discussion, such as at Conservation Ontario meetings,” Strackerjan said. She noted that she lives in a high-growth area with many waterways intersecting with development. “The conservation of land…

Published in Media Release