Back to SearchApril 14, 2023 — This FLOOD WATCH statement is an update to the Flood Outlook Statement issued for areas along the Lower Ottawa River (Arnprior to Hawkesbury) on April 7th, 2023.
Due to significant snow melt and forecasted rainfall anticipated on Sunday and Monday, water levels are expected to continue rising within the Ottawa River Basin.
Most of the water currently entering the Ottawa River is located in areas where there are no reservoirs or retention capacity. The current strategy by the Ottawa River Regulating Committee is to reduce the amount of water released from the principal reservoirs to prevent water levels exceeding major flood levels.
The Ottawa River Regulating Committee anticipates that water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River will exceed minor flood levels, impacting several streets and lawns in low-lying areas.
This includes flood-prone areas at Lake Coulonge, Chats Lake, Britannia / Lac Deschênes, Pointe-Gatineau, Cumberland, City of Clarence-Rockland, Thurso and other vulnerable areas down to Montreal. Areas at greatest risk are located in Cumberland and Rockland.
While there are currently no major flooding indicators of concern, it is still too early to forecast peak river conditions which remain dependent on snowmelt and rainfall amounts.
Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow changing conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children and provide appropriate supervision around all waterbodies.
The Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities monitor water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.
The Ottawa River Regulating Committee will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecasts
To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit: www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program
This FLOOD WATCH STATEMENT is in effect until April 28, 2023 at 5:00 PM.
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