Mansfield mayor gives update on rising river levels

Mansfield mayor gives update on rising river levels

With the waters of the Ottawa river and its tributaries rising this week, many municipalities along the length of the river are taking precautions and filling sandbags.

Ottawa River Regulating Committee issued a press release yesterday warning that major flood levels may be exceeded on the Ottawa River in flood-prone areas between Lac Coulonge and Montreal starting tomorrow (April 19).

“The major flood level is defined as the level at which one or several streets are beginning to flood, with several houses/buildings or neighbourhoods being affected,” the statement reads. “Water levels are currently expected to remain well below historical flood levels on the main stem of the Ottawa River.”

Mansfield-et-Pontefract mayor Sandra Armstrong spoke with CHIP 101.9 about their monitoring of levels of both the Coulonge River and the Ottawa. She said that they’ve closed several roads to local traffic only and are monitoring others, and advised curious onlookers to avoid flooded areas.

Armstrong also encouraged residents to sign up through the municipal website for their Telmatik automated messaging system, which allows the municipality to send text and audio messages to residents. She said that she’s been informed that the levels shouldn’t reach the extremes that were seen back in 2019, but residents should remain cautious and protect their property.

Residents of Mansfield can head to the municipal sandpit on chemin du Lac-de-la-Truite to fill up bags.

Contacts :
Eric Rochon, Director General: (Office): 819-683-2944 (Cell): 613-717-1791
Pat Bertrand, Fire Chief: (Cell): 613-401-7925

The full interview with Armstrong is available here.