Accessibility and Access Keys [0]
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is expecting an above-average spring thaw in parts of the Rideau River watershed which could cause minor flooding in some areas.
When the spring peak occurs, there is the potential for flooding in the Jock and Tay River tributary watersheds, the RVCA warned yesterday.
How significant the flows will be depend on how much more snow Ottawa receives, and whether affected areas experience a sudden rise in the level of watersheds due to heavy rains or the rapid melting of snow and ice.
The RVCA said one significant melt in January and other minor ones have helped to reduce the snow pack.
Recent snow measurements found that the overall watershed average water equivalent of the snow pack was 1.6 times larger than most years. The water equivalent is considerably above average at the Jock and Tay River snow measurement sites.
Residents living near a watercourse should keep informed of flood risks to minimize flood-related property damages, warns the RVCA.
Flood advisory or warnings will be issued as required. The role of the RVCA is to provide early warning of developing flood situations and continuous monitoring and analysis to assist municipal and provincial emergency response personnel.
Also, everyone is advised to be cautious around waterways and parents, in particular, need to supervise their children and make them aware of the danger of unstable ice and increasing flows as the spring thaw progresses.
Ottawa Sun