Rainfall, snowmelt prompt ‘flood watch’ on the Ottawa River

Sandbags stacked around the Nepean Sailing Club in 2019. Water levels are currently expected to remain well below historical flood levels. Wayne Cuddington/Postmedia Photo by Wayne Cuddington /PostmediaArticle content

Flows and water levels on the main stem of the Ottawa River continue to rise, says the the agency responsible for monitoring levels on the Ottawa River.

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That’s due to increased runoff from recent rainfall, combined with snowmelt from the mountainous areas of the basin, said the Ottawa River Regulating Committee on Wednesday.

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Minor flood levels have been reached in Pembroke, Lake Coulonge and Britannia, and should be reached in Mattawa and Chats Lake on Thursday.

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“Levels may reach or exceed the major flood level in Mattawa and from Lake Coulonge down to Lake Deschenes depending on the rapidity of snowmelt and precipitation expected on Friday” said the forecast.

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“From Gatineau (Hull Marina) down to the Montreal Region, levels are expected to exceed minor flood levels but should remain below major flood levels.”

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Uncertain weather factors play into estimating peak levels, added the regulating committee.

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The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority have both classified current conditions as a “flood watch.”

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The minor flood level is defined as the level at which parts of some streets, lawns and parks are beginning to flood, with no or few houses or buildings being affected.

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The major flood level is defined as the level at which one or several streets are beginning to flood, with several houses or buildings or neighbourhoods being affected.

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Water levels are currently expected to remain well below historical flood levels on the main stem of the Ottawa River.

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