2026: RISING OTTAWA RIVER WATER LEVELS

Press Release posted on 2026-04-02 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee

The Ottawa River Regulating Committee would like to inform basin residents that levels and flows along the Ottawa River are expected to begin increasing over the next few days due to onset of the spring freshet in the Ottawa River basin. It cautions residents along the shores of the Ottawa River from Mattawa down to the Montreal Region that throughout the spring freshet period, which can span several weeks, water levels can rise rapidly at times and cause minor flooding in low-lying areas. The levels and flows in the Ottawa River are currently close to normal but are expected to start rising sometime Friday or into the weekend depending on locations. Recent rain and mild temperatures have increased snowmelt especially in the southern and central parts of the basin. With additional rainfall events forecast over the coming days, spring runoff is expected to continue increasing. It is too early to predict the magnitude and timing of the freshet peak in the main stem of the Ottawa River. The Regulating Committee will be closely monitoring the effects of precipitation and temperature increases throughout the spring freshet period as they may cause levels and flows to change rapidly. A second press release will be published if flood risks increase.

Refer to the River Conditions Forecast message at www.ottawariver.ca for frequent updates on river conditions throughout the freshet.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE >> 2026-04-02 Ottawa River Press Release