FLOOD WARNING: Ottawa River – Arnprior to L’Orignal – Update #3
Weather Forecast:
Significant rainfall has fallen over the Ottawa River basin since Thursday, April 18, 2019.
Warmer than forecasted temperatures were received Sunday and Monday. Additional rainfall of 15 to 50 mm is anticipated today and tomorrow in northern and central areas of the Ottawa River basin.
Environmental Conditions:
Precipitation and warm temperatures causing increased snowmelt has saturated the soil and has increased water levels across the Ottawa River basin. Some snowpack remains[SM1] .
Risks:
All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk. Peak water levels across some areas of the Ottawa River are expected to be similar to those experienced in May 2017.
Levels will remain high for several days and will increase later this week due to forecasted precipitation and snowmelt runoff. Reservoirs throughout the basin are being used to store runoff and minimize flooding.
MVCA areas of concern: Water levels in the Constance Bay area are projected to rise an additional 0.50 m to 0.60 m above the current elevation of 59.83 m over the next four days. Levels are currently forecasted to be very close to those experienced at the height of the May 2017 flood.
RVCA areas of concern:
- In Britannia (Grandview Road and the Belltown Community) water levels expected to increase an additional 0.50 m to 0.60 m above the current elevation of 59.83 m over the next four days. Levels are currently forecast to be very close to those experienced at the height of the May 2017 flood. Updates to this projection will be provided as they become available.
- East of Cumberland Village (Boise Village, Morin Road, Leo Lane) water levels expected to increase an additional 0.40 m to 0.60 m above the current elevation over the next four days. Levels are currently forecast to be just below those experienced at the height of the May 2017 flood. Updates to this projection will be provided as they become available.
SNC areas of concern: Water levels are expected to remain high along the Ottawa River for the next few days in Clarence-Rockland and Alfred-Plantagenet; current water elevation has peaked at 43.02m. Water levels are expected to increase rapidly later this week due to forecasted precipitation. Levels are expected to peak again on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 43.30 m, slightly below peak levels observed during May 2017.
Due to the forecast uncertainty it is difficult to accurately predict how quickly water levels will rise and when river conditions may peak.
ACTION:
Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow evolving conditions and to take necessary measures. Sandbags are available to residents in flood prone areas.
Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.
Duration:
This Flood Warning is in effect until Thursday, April 25, 2019.
South Nation Conservation (SNC) and its Ottawa partners, the Rideau Valley and Mississippi Valley Conservation Authorities, monitor the water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecast.php.
Please visit www.nation.on.ca for more information. To provide feedback with respect to changes in water related conditions please email waterwatch@nation.on.ca, post on our Facebook (/SouthNationConservation) or Twitter (@SouthNationCA).
For more information regarding the Ottawa River, visit www.ottawariver.ca.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Omar Kana’n, SNC Water Resources Analyst,
613-551-9057, okanan@nation.on.ca. [SM2]
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: John Mesman, SNC Team Lead of Communications,
613-899-5341, jmesman@nation.on.ca.
FORWARDED TO: All Flood Forecasting and Warning Directory
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