WCDR mobilizing in face of expected flooding

WEST CARLETON – With flooding now expected to be a problem for West Carleton riverside communities, West Carleton Disaster Relief is on high alert and moving in to action on several fronts.

We’ve been blessed with two days of sunny, warm weather in West Carleton Friday (April 17) and Saturday (April 18), but after more of a week of steady rain, and lots more expected tomorrow (April 19), combined with the arrival of the northern Ottawa River basin freshet, officials believe major flooding could match levels seen in 2023, another of the area’s many bad flood years over the last 10.

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) expects the Ottawa River through Constance Bay could rise significantly over the weekend in to next week.

“Water levels in the Constance Bay area are currently at the two-year flood event level and are expected to rise by up to 40 to 50 centimetres over the next three to five days,” the MVCA released in a statement today. “Residents can expect flooding in low-lying and flood prone areas. No impacts to roadway access are anticipated.”

The MVCA says water levels are currently expected to remain well below historical flood levels on the main stem of the Ottawa River.

Just above West Carleton, from Arnprior to Britannia, minor flood levels were expected to be reached in flood-prone areas yesterday, with the potential for major flood levels to be exceeded in some locations over the weekend.

Peaks, measured at Chats Falls Generation Station during major flood years include 75.95 metres in 2017; 76.28 m in 2019; and 75.8 m in 2023.

“Some flooding is not only coming, some is here,” WCDR director told West Carleton Online yesterday (April 17) evening. “Right now we are where we were at the peak last year. The current forecast for the next four days is that levels will reach 60.15 meters above sea level. That is 38 cm higher than last year and only 20 cm lower than 2023. Our information from past years tells us that at the anticipated levels, less than 30 homes in the between Armitage Avenue and Willola Beach will be affected. We can help you if you have questions about whether you will be affected if these levels are reached.”

In Constance Bay, the WCDR installed a gauge in 2023, and the peak level in 2023 was 60.39 m.

The WCDR las a variety of ways it assists the community in times of flooding.

“If you know you need help, we have a flood assistance form on our website where you can make your request,” Joyner said. “You can call and leave us a message on our phone at 613-447-4446 as well.”

The City of Ottawa has already begun delivering sand to several sandbag filling stations in the areas where homes may be affected.  

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.

“If you are interested in helping to fill sandbags, come to the filling station at the Constance and Buckham’s Bay Community Centre in Constance Bay starting at 8:30 a.m.,” Joyner said. “Shovels will be supplied but please bring food and water and dress for the weather.”

WCDR also requires volunteers to help in other ways.  Fill in this 2026 WCDR Volunteer Form if you have time and want to help your neighbours.

Help is required in a number areas including:

• Sandbag filling
• Sandbag delivery (truck or other vehicle required)
• Assistance building sandbag walls
• Administration
• Fundraising
• Food and snacks

Equipment and supply handling and distribution

“We will be posting an update every evening by 7 p.m. on our Facebook page.