Ottawa and Coulonge Rivers rising rapidly, flood warning issued

Ottawa and Coulonge Rivers rising rapidly, flood warning issued

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.”

The Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract has asked for the public’s help to start preparing sandbags. Citizens are invited to lend a hand by going directly to the municipal sandpit, located at 32, chemin du Lac-de-la-Truite. Mayor Sandra Armstrong said she doesn’t want to be alarmist, but citizens should be prepared to protect their homes and property. Yesterday (April 17), nearly 700 sandbags were filled.

“As of the end of March, large portions of the unregulated area in the south and southwest of the watershed had accumulated above normal water content in the snowpack,” the statement continues. “The record-setting temperatures last week triggered a rapid melt of this snow, leading to rapidly rising water levels and increased flow in tributaries and on the main stem of the Ottawa River from Lake Coulonge down to the Montreal area. The rain currently falling on Monday April 17 and expected to continue into April 18 will add to the flow in these watercourses. Peak river conditions remain dependent on snowmelt and rainfall amounts. A rainfall event is forecasted next weekend (April 22), which is expected to bring additional spring runoff into the main stem of the river at a time when flows are near flood thresholds. There are no reservoirs in this lower portion of the watershed, therefore there is no capacity to hold back these flows. Storage in the northern reservoirs is being used to reduce river flows to downstream areas.”