Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update - April 4, 2023

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 4, 2023

Parks Canada's water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada.

Parks Canada maintains the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Rideau Canal website at www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet

The InfoNet contains background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.

This information is intended as supplemental information only. Stakeholders should continue to refer to their respective Conservation Authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to their area. These are the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui Conservation Authority.

Weather

The 5-day forecast is predicting 35-48 mm of rain with air temperatures reaching double digits.

Outlook

In the short term, water levels and flows will increase as a result of the forecasted rain. The remaining snowpack in the Upper Tay Watershed and the northern part of Rideau River will contribute to the increased runoff amounts.

The Rideau Canal Water Management Team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your Conservation Authority.

Cataraqui River

Lakes are increasing due to the remaining snowmelt runoff and are expected to increase with the forecasted amount of rain.

Tay River

Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels are below average and are increasing and will continue to do so due to the rain and snowmelt. The levels on both lakes will continue to be closely monitored. Flows on the lower Tay River will likely increase.

Rideau River

Wolfe Lake, Upper Rideau Lake and Big Rideau Lake levels are expected to increase. All the river reaches from Smith Falls to Burritts Rapids are above the seasonal levels. Levels on the Long Reach remain above full and are expected to increase. The flows in the Rideau River are expected to increase as a result of runoff from forecasted rain and snowmelt.