The municipalities of Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Fort-Coulonge are issuing a warning to their residents as water levels in the Ottawa River are expected to rise rapidly over the next few days.
According to the latest hydrological forecasts, this increase is due to recent rainfall combined with significant snowmelt in unregulated areas of the watershed. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, which could evolve quickly.
Published data indicate that Lake Coulonge could reach a level of 107.5 metres on Thursday, 107.9 metres on Friday, and 108.3 metres on Saturday. Between Pembroke and Carillon, minor flood thresholds are expected to be exceeded in areas that are typically at risk.
Experts are not ruling out the possibility that major flood thresholds could be reached over the coming week between Lake Coulonge and the Masson/Cumberland area, although forecasts still carry a high degree of uncertainty.
The major flood threshold is set at 108.5 metres by the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB). However, municipalities emphasize that in reality, any level above the river’s annual average already results in significant impacts on properties, roads, and municipal operations.
Meanwhile, the Coulonge River is also showing signs of a marked increase, with a current flow rate of 338 cubic metres per second, which could reach nearly 400 m³/s in the coming days.
Several roads are likely to be affected by flooding, including Thomas-Lefebvre Road, de l’Esprit Road, Léonard Road, Pearson Road, and Passe Road.
To help residents prepare, sandbags and sand are being made available at the municipal sand pit located at 32 Lac de la Truite Road. Residents who wish to offer assistance or who need materials can also contact municipal services.
Authorities thank the public for their vigilance and urge residents to remain attentive to developments.
