2023 Ottawa River Spring Freshet Review

Bulletins posted on 2023-07-19 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee

The 2023 freshet was characterized by record warmth (April 10 – 17), above-average snowpack in some parts of the basin and above-average precipitation.  The above normal temperatures triggered a rapid melt of the heavy snowpack, bringing flows and levels above flood thresholds in some locations. Above-normal precipitation in April helped maintain high spring runoff over the eight weeks of freshet.  The peak flow at the Carillon Dam occurred May 5 following significant rainfall of 55-70mm over the entire basin.  Major flood thresholds were exceeded in multiple locations between Mattawa and Montreal.  Freshet 2023 saw some of the highest peak flows and levels on record along the Ottawa River. Find out about other highlights of the spring freshet 2023 in this bulletin.

Read the bulletin >> 2023-Ottawa-River-Spring-Freshet-Review