Spring floods: caution and water conservation still recommended in Fort-Coulonge
Spring floods: caution and water conservation still recommended in Fort-Coulonge
Despite some improvement in conditions, caution remains necessary in the region due to the spring flooding.
The mayor of Fort-Coulonge, Pierre Cyr, is cautiously optimistic, particularly thanks to the more favorable weather conditions in recent days. However, the situation continues to be closely monitored, and nothing has been won yet.
“The increases we were seeing over the past few days were at historic levels when looking at the charts. We are 30 centimeters above the historical record for today. That’s why we moved quickly to take action, and we made the right decision. Overnight, mainly thanks to the colder temperatures in recent days, water levels on the Ottawa River stabilized. Forecasters are still predicting a rise tomorrow afternoon—possibly around 10 centimeters—but for now, levels have leveled off. As for the Coulonge River, levels have dropped by about 3 centimeters over the past 8 hours.”
He reminds residents that water levels can fluctuate quickly and that vigilance remains essential for those living near waterways.
Another important point: the call for the public to conserve water is still in effect. This simple action helps reduce pressure on municipal infrastructure during this critical period. Once again, Pierre Cyr:
“Just because the level has dropped by 3 centimeters doesn’t mean there is no longer debris in the water. At the treatment plant, we draw water from the Coulonge River, and since the water has gone through a lot of turbulence, the amount of debris in it has increased, making it harder to filter. We are therefore asking people to reduce their consumption of drinking water. Normal use is still fine, but it’s important to be mindful in order to make a difference and help prevent problems at the water treatment plant.”
Authorities are therefore urging the public to continue exercising caution and to follow the guidelines in place.
The full interview with Pierre Cyr can be found here.
