Accessibility and Access Keys [0]
River flows and water levels are expected to exceed the 1:5 year flood level by Friday of this week and could even go higher to the 1:10 year flood level or beyond by the end of next weekend. Flood vulnerable areas will experience conditions similar to the high water of spring 1993 and during several spring freshets in the 1970s.
The snowmelt has increased flows in many rivers and streams throughout the Rideau Watershed to near bankfull conditions. Water levels will continue to rise over the next several days with increasing daily high temperatures and overnight temperatures above the freezing point. A small amount of rain expected on Wednesday will further increase streamflows.
Water levels will remain high until the snowpack is substantially depleted. A significant snowpack will continue to be present in forested areas for some time after the snow has completely melted in open areas. The long range weather outlook suggests additional rain for Eastern Ontario this coming weekend, just when streams and rivers are peaking or will have peaked in response to the warm and wet weather on Wednesday.
In some of these areas, flooding of access routes into residential properties and damage to some buildings in the lowest lying areas can be expected. If they have not already done so, residents in those areas should take whatever precautions are reasonable and practical, in their particular circumstances, to minimize damages and public safety risks.