Ottawa River expected to stabilize this week

WEST CARLETON – It was a busy weekend for West Carleton’s riverside residents shovelling sand and keeping one eye on the Ottawa River.

First the good news, West Carleton did not get the rain forecast for Sunday (April 19) and officials believe the mighty 1,271-kilometre-long Ottawa River should stabilize this week.

The bad news is the river continues to rise, already surpassing last year’s peak.

“Water levels today reached 60 metres (at Constance Bay); rising steadily and now sitting about nine inches (23 centimetres) above this time last year,” West Carleton Disaster Relief (WCDR) director Allan Joyner told West Carleton Online last night (April 19). “Our next official forecast update won’t come until the evening of April 21, and with levels trending upward, we want to make sure everyone is using that time wisely.”

WCDR is recommending anyone who was swamped by the river in 2023, start preparing now, if they haven’t already.

“Residents who expect their property to flood if we approach the 2023 levels should consider beginning to build protective walls now if you haven’t already,” Joyner said. “You don’t need to wait for the forecast; starting early gives you options. We are encouraging you to pull together a team of neighbours or friends you can call on quickly if wall building becomes urgent. Having that crew identified in advance makes a real difference.”

The WCDR is also recommending not touching your septic tanks in times of high water.

“This is important, with groundwater levels this high, an empty tank becomes buoyant,” Joyner said. “In previous flood events, a number of tanks have actually lifted out of the ground. Leave them as they are until water levels recede.”

As all of West Carleton’s riverside homes are on wells, make sure you have a reliable drinking supply.

“If you have any concerns about your water supply, please pick up bottled water for drinking in the meantime,” Joyner said. “Hold off on getting your water tested until levels have receded — that’s when the results will be meaningful.”

The WCDR is still recruiting volunteers to support the community in its time of need.

“We still need hands for sandbagging and wall building,” Joyner said. “If you’re able to help, please reach out — every set of hands counts right now. WCDR will continue posting daily updates. Stay connected, look out for your neighbours, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance.”

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) is measuring water levels at Chats Lake Generation Station at 75.72 m and 60.1 m at Brittania.

“Water levels and flows continue to rise at all locations along the main stem of the Ottawa River as significant runoff from rainfall and snowmelt from the unregulated portion of the basin flow into the river,” the ORRPB released in a statement yesterday (April 19). “Reservoirs are retaining spring runoff to reduce flooding in the dowstream river system. Minor flood levels have been exceeded in most flood prone areas along the Ottawa River from Pembroke down to Carillon. Major flood levels from Lake Coulonge to Carillon have been exceeded or are expected to be exceeded tomorrow (April 20) or Tuesday (April 21).”

Levels were expected to continue increasing over the weekend in all locations and start stabilizing today.

“Uncertain weather factors play into estimating peak levels over the coming week,” the ORRPB said.

On April 19 peak level estimates are generally above 2025 peak levels but below 2023 peak levels, as follows: Pembroke (113.10 m), Lac Coulonge (108.60 m), Chats Lake (75.70 m), Lake Deschenes (60.25 m), Gatineau -Hull marina (44.50 m) and Thurso (43.00 m).

“These exceed 2025 peak levels by 25 cm (Pembroke), 45 cm (Lake Coulonge), 45 cm (Chats Lake), 50 cm (Lake Deschenes/Britannia), 95 cm (Gatineau -Hull marina) and 70 cm (Thurso),” the ORRPB said. “Over the next two weeks, levels are expected to plateau or slowly decline depending on weather. 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.”

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) says major flood levels were exceeded all along the lower Ottawa River over the weekned.

“From Arnprior to Britannia, major flood levels were exceeded in flood prone areas over the weekend,” the MVCA water management team released in a statement today (April 20). Water levels and impacts are expected to continue to increase over the next few days. Downstream of Britannia to Hawkesbury, minor flood levels were exceeded in flood prone areas over the weekend. Water levels and impacts are expected to continue to increase over the next few days, with the potential for major flood levels to be exceeded in some locations.”

Specifically through West Carleton, the MVCA is expecting water levels to rise again today (April 20).

“Water levels in the Constance Bay area are currently at the 10-year flood event level and are expected to rise by up to 10 cm throughout today and tomorrow (April 21),” the MVCA said. “Residents can expect flooding in low-lying and flood prone areas. No impacts to roadway access are anticipated at this time. A small number of low-lying properties will experience water at residential structures.”

West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly was actively monitoring the situation in the community and helping where he could.

“Another very active day with more residents taking action as the water rose again over the last 24 hours,” Kelly released in a statement yesterday (April 19). “Water levels on the lower Ottawa have exceeded 2025 levels but do remain below the 2023 peak and are expected to continue to rise over the next few days but at a slower rate than we have seen in the past three days.”

With the ground saturated, and Constance Bay having a very sandy base, groundwater is also an issue during the freshet.

“For anyone who is dealing with either overland flooding or excess groundwater your septic and well may soon become affected if (it is) not already,” Kelly said.

Please see this link from the City of Ottawa with more information and steps you should take.

“The city is preparing should it need to deploy porta potties to certain locations, and the Constance Bay community centre will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily where a shower is available for those who need it,” Kelly said. “I will inquire with staff about opening up other locations for potable water and showers if there is a need.”

There was activity at all the strategically placed sandbag filling stations and pre-filled sandbags were dropped by the city beginning again early this morning.

“City staff and volunteer partners were once again using the sandbag machine at the Kinburn Public Works Yard and Tomlinson sent someone over to help get the second machine up and running this afternoon (April 19),” Kelly said. “Thanks again to Tomlinson for lending us their machine. Team Rubicon and our many community volunteers filled more than 5,000 sandbags today just at the Constance Bay Community Centre alone. There is lots of spring left and more water to come from the north but as I made my way around Ward 5 today there was no sense of panic. That is because we are prepared and we are out supporting each other. WCDR is active all day long coordinating supports, volunteers are coming out, our rural firefighters are checking in with people. Our community is strong.”

Some additional links with information that may be helpful:

• You can see the latest and most up to date forecast from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board here: https://www.ottawariver.ca/.
• For more information on being flood ready or to sign up to volunteer or receive support please visit https://www.westcarletonrelief.ca/
• https://mvc.on.ca/flood-status/
• https://ottawa.ca/…/spring-flooding/current-situation
• Reach out to the Ward 5 office at clarke.kelly@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2475 if you have any questions or need assistance