Kelly says some WC wells, septic compromised due to flooding

WEST CARLETON – West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly says some Ward 5 wells and septic systems have been compromised due to Ottawa River flooding.

In a television earlier today (April 21), Kelly said a number of residents have contacted him with the news.

“This morning, I’ve done a quick drive through Constance Bay, and I have seen people already out sandbagging,” Kelly told CTV this morning (April 21). “The Enbridge crew was out yesterday. It’s my understanding that a few people have had their gas shut off. Multiple people are reporting that their wells and septic systems are now compromised. So, definitely over the last couple of days, we’ve seen an increase in the level of needs and the impact on the community.”

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) says the northern freshet is peaking.

“Spring runoff from the unregulated portion of the basin is currently at its highest, with northern reservoirs retaining a large portion of the spring runoff to reduce flooding in the downstream river system,” the ORRPB released in a statement yesterday (April 20). “Water levels and flows are expected to continue increasing from Mattawa to Pembroke over the next few days and are expected to start stabilizing (April 20) between Lake Coulonge and Lake Deschenes, and Wednesday (April 22) between Gatineau-Hull and Carillon. Minor flood levels in Mattawa could be exceeded over the next few days and have been exceeded from Pembroke down to Carillon. Major flood levels have been exceeded in flood prone areas from Lake Coulonge to Lake Deschenes and are expected to be reached or exceeded (April 21) from Gatineau-Hull to Carillon.”

The ORRPB says levels through West Carleton should peak today or tomorrow.

“Downstream of Pembroke, water levels are expected to slowly increase until a peak is reached on Tuesday or Wednesday,” the ORRPB said.

On April 20 peak level estimates are close to 2023 peak levels, as follows: Pembroke (113.20 m), Lake Coulonge (108.75 m), Chats Lake (75.85 m), Lake Deschenes (60.30 m), Gatineau -Hull marina (44.70 m) and Thurso (43.10 m). These are lower than the 2023 peak levels by 10 cm (Pembroke), 0 cm (Lake Coulonge), 5 cm (Chats Lake), 5 cm (Lake Deschenes/Britannia), 0 cm (Gatineau -Hull marina) and 10 cm (Thurso).

“Over the next two weeks, levels from Lake Coulonge to Carillon are expected to plateau or slowly decline depending on weather,” the ORRPB said. “Risk of further increase in levels over coming weeks is higher from Mattawa to Lake Coulonge given the high snowpack remaining in the northern part of the basin.”

Kelly says with the start of the work week, volunteers have dwindled.

“Weekdays are tougher for volunteers to get out,” he said. “So, we do have a shortage of people right now filling sandbags, and that is the biggest need, getting bags filled and transported off to strategic locations so people can use them at their home.”

The City of Ottawa is helping to fill sandbags at its Kinburn Public Works Yard where a sandbag filling machine is in use, but Kelly said the community is what will help people through this year’s flooding.

“It is really a community and a volunteer effort that’s going to be getting people through this,” Kelly said. “And we are seeing that. We are seeing people come out and support each other, which is always nice to see during a difficult time.”

Kelly says the city has ordered portable toilets and they will be distributed as needed.

Shower and water access is available at:

• Constance Bay Community Centre (262 Len Purcell Drive): 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• W. Erskine Johnston Arena (3832 Carp Road): 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“A sincere thank you to the Fry Department and Nichols Esso for providing food to volunteers today,” Kelly said. “We are also working with West Carleton Secondary School to coordinate student support for sandbagging efforts. In 2023, students filled 10,000 sandbags in a single day, and we’re thankful for their community spirit once again.”

There are four sandbag stations currently active, dotted along West Carleton’s riverfront communities known to have been hit hard by spring flooding in the past including at the Constance Bay community centre (262 Len Purcell Dr.), Greenland Road at Armitage Avenue in the Dunrobin Shores area, 128 Moorehead Dr. in Willola Beach and Lighthouse Lane at Loggers Way in Vydon Acres.