Parks Canada's water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada.
Parks Canada maintains the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Rideau Canal website at https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet.
The InfoNet provides background information on water management practices, updates on water management, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.
This information is intended as supplemental information only. Your respective Conservation Authority continues to serve as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to your area. These are the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui Conservation Authority.
Weather
The total amounts of mixed precipitation recorded across the watersheds for the past 36 hours were 10-30 mm. The weather forecast for the next five days predicts mixed precipitation amounts of around 5-10 mm, accompanied by warmer air temperatures early next week.
Outlook
Heavy rainfall, preceded by warm temperatures, has, for the most part, resulted in snowmelt and runoff across most watersheds, or has primed the snowpack in the remainder. The current forecast indicates that water levels and outflows will increase at all locations. The Rideau Canal Water Management team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your Conservation Authority.
Cataraqui River
Most lake levels are above average for this time of year and increasing due to the ongoing melt and received precipitation. Water levels are expected to continue increasing due to rainfall runoff.
Tay River
Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels are below average for this time of year. Levels on Bobs Lake and Christie Lake are increasing due to the received precipitation.
Rideau River
The levels of Upper Rideau and Big Rideau Lakes are above average for this time of year. Wolfe Lake levels are above average. The river reaches between Kilmarnock and Hogs Back are above seasonal levels. The water levels in Long Reach are high and increasing. The flows in the Rideau River are above average and increasing due to the amount of precipitation received, combined with ongoing melt.
