Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – June 27, 2024

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 https://parks.canada.ca/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. Your respective Conservation Authority continues to serve as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to your area. These are the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui Conservation Authority.

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

Outlook
Flows on the Upper Tay River are above average and peaked. The inflows have increased across the system because 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 peaked.

Tay River
Bobs Lakes is at an average level for this time of year. Christie Lake levels are below average but stable due to recent rain events.

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

General Inquiries Administrator
Rideau Canal National Historic Site
Parks Canada / Government of Canada
34 Beckwith Street, South, Smiths Falls ON  K7A 2A8
rideau@pc.gc.ca / www.parks.canada.ca/rideau