Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 4, 2024

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 4, 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

Since mid-February, low precipitation amounts and higher than normal air temperatures have resulted in lower than average snow pack accumulation for this time of the year.  The 5-day forecast suggests near 10-15 mm of rainfall.   Air temperatures are forecasted to rise this week where the daily high will be in the double digits; as the week progress evening lows will tend to stay above 0°C.

Outlook

Snowpack is presently below average. Water management operations to fill the reservoirs began in February.  Outflows from the reservoirs have been reduced, taking into account the projected runoff from melting snow in the watershed and normal precipitation in the month of March. With the substantial reduction in the snowpack in the southern areas, most lakes are increasing at a slower rate. 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

All lakes are above average water levels for this time of year and are slowly increasing. Cranberry and Colonel By Lakes water levels are on average for this time of the year. 

Tay River

Bobs Lake level is close to seasonal average and Christie Lake level is below average. Bobs Lake outflows are reduced.

Rideau River

Upper Rideau Lake is above average and Big Rideau Lake is near average water levels for this time of the year. Wolfe Lake levels are above average. The river reaches between Smiths Falls and Long Island are currently at seasonal levels.  Flows on the River are declining.

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.pc.gc.ca/rideau