Water levels of the Ottawa River on the rise, but encouraging data according to the Committee

Water levels of the Ottawa River on the rise, but encouraging data according to the Committee

The Ottawa River Regulating Committee would like to inform watershed residents that levels and flows along the Ottawa River have begun increasing with the onset of the spring freshet period. The Committee cautions residents in the lowlands along the Ottawa River, as water levels can sometimes rise quickly and cause minor flooding. The Ottawa River Regulating Committee has nevertheless indicated that the conditions for spring 2021 seem favorable.

“While it is not possible to completely rule out the occurrence of a large spring freshet, the factors that are known at this time, namely below average snow water content in all locations and an early spring start, are positive indicators of a year without excessive flooding along the Ottawa River ”, underlines the Committee.

Bulletins from the Committee will be issued, should the risk of flooding increase. A telephone message informing residents of forecast river conditions and specifying current water levels will also be available to residents at the following locations: Lac Témiscamingue, Mattawa, Pembroke, Lac Coulonge, Lac des Chats, Ottawa (Britannia), Gatineau ( quai de Hull), Grenville and Maniwaki.
Ottawa-Gatineau
(819) 994-8171 French
(819) 994-9049 English

Bulletin for Friday March 26th
With the warm weather of the last few days and ongoing rainfall over a large part of the basin, spring runoff is increasing across the Ottawa River basin. Precipitation forecast over the next few days is expected to further increase spring runoff. With the increased quantity of water collecting in the river, flows and water levels along the main stem of the river are expected to begin to rise over the next few days.