Rising Ottawa River Water Levels

Press Release posted on 2023-04-07 by Ottawa River Regulating Committee

The Ottawa River Regulating Committee would like to inform watershed residents that levels and flows along the Ottawa River are expected to begin increasing over the next few days as a result of the onset of the spring freshet period in the Ottawa River basin. The levels and flows in the Ottawa River are currently close to normal, but are expected to start rising sometime during the weekend. 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.

With the snow pack being above normal for this time of year in several areas within the Ottawa River basin, flows and levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River are expected to rise above average values over the next few weeks. While it is not possible to forecast peak flow conditions at this time, please note that meteorological events with above-normal temperatures or above-normal precipitation within the spring timeframe (next 6 to 8 weeks) can increase the risk of exceeding minor flood levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River (from Mattawa down to the Montreal Region).

Further bulletins will be published if levels are expected to exceed minor flood levels.

Read the Press Release

Note: This press release does not apply to residents of the Abitibi-Timiskaming area or tributaries of the Ottawa River.