Rideau Valley Conservation Authority - Get Ready for Flood Season

Get ready for flood season

Dreaming of spring? Prepare for it, too! The spring freshet is just around the corner, and RVCA staff are using stream gauges, weather stations, snowpack measurements, meteorological forecasts and computer models to prepare. As the spring melt begins, staff can use the data collected to determine the potential for flooding. Residents can monitor real-time water levels, access neighbourhood-level flood maps and more at www.RVCA.ca/watershed-conditions.

Should flooding occur, the first response is up to you! As a property owner, you need an emergency plan to minimize flood-related property damages. While our flood forecasting and warning program is responsible for providing timely, accurate flood predictions, your municipality is responsible for emergency response in the event of severe flooding. Now is the time to explore your municipality’s website, get to know its emergency preparedness plan and dig out your local emergency phone numbers.

For up-to-date information on local watershed conditions, subscribe to RVCA’s flood forecasting and warning emails at www.rvca.ca — look for “Get RVCA News.” For more information contact BRIAN at brian.stratton@rvca.ca.

Flood Index

GREEN: Normal – No flood conditions exist.

YELLOW: Awareness – Be informed and aware. *Water Safety Statements – High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected. *Flood Outlook Statements – Early notice of the potential for flooding cased on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lake shore flooding or erosion.

ORANGE: Flood Watch – Be prepared to active your flood response plans if it becomes necessary. Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas found prepare.

RED: Flood Warning – Activate your flood response procedures now! Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.