Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 8, 2024

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 8, 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

The 5-day forecast suggests significant amounts of precipitation, reaching 40 mm of rain.

Outlook

The recent early snowmelt accompanied by last weeks rain event amounted to an average of 10 mm of precipitation across the watersheds resulted in above average water levels at most locations. However, below normal snowpack amounts preceding these events resulted in below normal flow values.  The current forecast indicates that water levels and outflows will increase at most locations. 

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 the average water levels for this time of year. The outflows are increasing. 

Tay River

Bobs Lake level is above the average and Christie Lake level is below average.

Rideau River

Upper Rideau and Big Rideau Lakes are above average for this time of year. Wolfe Lake levels are above average. The river reaches between Smiths Falls and Long Island are currently subject to operations in anticipation for the increased flows generated by rain runoff. The flows on the River are increasing. 

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