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The water levels on the Ottawa River are lower than they’ve been in almost a century, putting fish and other wildlife at risk.
“I’ve paddled here for 35 years and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it like this,” said kayaker John Cockburn.
“This year it’s really just gone from low to lower.”
Experts say the dry winter combined with a hot summer has weakened the flow of the river, reducing it to levels that haven’t been seen for 95 years. Water in some areas has receded about 30 feet.
“Now it’s a bit of a perfect storm because we’re having an unusually hot and dry summer,” said Ottawa Riverkeeper [Director of Operations] Natasha Wilson.
“If it continues to be hot we’ll start to see conservation calls from the municipalities who draw water from the river and who rely on the river as a source.”
The low water levels are also threatening species living in the river.
“Fish habitats for example, they lay their eggs where it’s shallow and it’s dry. Those areas might dry up before the fish can spawn,” said Wilson.
With forecasters predicting a hot summer ahead, Wilson says everyone can help by reducing their water consumption until at least the fall.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Stefan Keyes.