Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update - June 10, 2022

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 Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui Conservation Authority

Weather

Rainfall amounts for May and June have been above normal. The 5-day forecast suggests continued average daytime temperatures with 15-25 mm of rain. 

Outlook 

Flows on the Upper Tay River are above average and increasing. The inflows have increased across the system as a result of rain, and as a result, water levels are increasing and slightly above average. 

The Rideau Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority. 

Cataraqui River

The above-normal rain amounts are resulting in continued water level increase on the Cataraqui Lakes. All lakes are above average and increasing.

Tay River

Bobs Lakes is slightly above average level for this time of year. Outflows from Bobs Lake will be increased this week which will bring up the water level on Christie Lake and increase the flow rate down the Tay River. 

Rideau River

Wolfe Lake is above average level for this time of year. Outflows will be increased from Wolfe Lake. Upper Rideau and Big Rideau are above long-term average. Levels in the river from Smiths Falls to Ottawa all remain in navigation range.