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High lake water levels causing flooding

Graham Hughes, The Ottawa Citizen - Thursday, April 24, 2008

Two roads—Red Rock Road and John Street—have been closed by rising waters from Round Lake, said a spokesman for the Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards.

Don Wrigglesworth said the lake water level is very high and is affecting mostly cottages as well as some permanent homes.

Officials have been unable to reach the affected areas to assess the damage, Mr. Wrigglesworth said. The township is about 150 kilometres west of Ottawa.

Township Mayor Janice Visneskie declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in light of the rising levels.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the Bonnechere River, which drains areas of Algonquin Park and feeds into Round Lake, remains at an all-time high level and the inflow is still rising, although the rate of rise has lessened.

Cottage and house owners report flooded lawns and water is expected soon to be over septic tanks and wells in the township, while some areas of Bonnechere Provincial Park are water covered, the ministry said.

Mr. Wrigglesworth said the township has ordered 10,000 sandbags to give to residents and has issued a precautionary boil water order because some wells are being affected by flood water.

He said the lake is expected to reach its peak level tomorrow.

On the Madawaska River, levels and flows still very high, the ministry said. Some back roads have been overtopped and some boathouses have been swamped, although no flooding has been reported at Barry’s Bay.

Water levels and flows at most points in the Ottawa River watershed have started to stabilize, according to the Ottawa River Regulating Committee.

In a report issued yesterday morning, the agency said water levels may increase slightly in the next few days and minor flooding is being seen in some low-lying areas along the river and in the Montreal area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources said there have been only minor increases in levels on the Madawaska River and the Ottawa.

Levels and flows on the Petawawa River are expected to stabilize and begin a steady decrease in the next couple of days.

In its report, the ministry said peak levels below the serious flood level are expected within a few days on the main branch of the Ottawa River at Lac Deschênes.

© The Ottawa Citizen 2008


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