Rising Ottawa River Water Levels

Press Release posted on 2021-03-25 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee

The Ottawa River Regulating Committee would like to inform watershed residents that levels and flows along the Ottawa River have begun increasing with the onset of the spring freshet period. It cautions residents along the shores of the Ottawa River from Mattawa down to the Montreal region that throughout the spring freshet period water levels can rise rapidly at times and cause minor flooding in low-lying areas.

While it is not possible to completely rule out the occurrence of a large spring freshet, the factors that are known at this time, namely below average snow water content in all locations and an early spring start, are positive indicators of a year without excessive flooding along 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.

Further bulletins will be published if flood risks increase.

Read the Press release