{"id":616706,"date":"2026-04-20T14:53:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T14:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/616706\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T14:53:13","slug":"ottawa-river-expected-to-stabilize-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/616706\/","title":{"rendered":"Ottawa River expected to stabilize this week"},"content":{"rendered":"

WEST CARLETON \u2013 It was a busy weekend for West Carleton\u2019s riverside residents shovelling sand and keeping one eye on the Ottawa River.<\/p>\n

First the good news, West Carleton did not get the rain forecast for Sunday (April 19) and officials believe the mighty 1,271-kilometre-long Ottawa River should stabilize this week.<\/p>\n

The bad news is the river continues to rise, already surpassing last year\u2019s peak.<\/p>\n

\u201cWater levels today reached 60 metres (at Constance Bay); rising steadily and now sitting about nine inches (23 centimetres) above this time last year,\u201d West Carleton Disaster Relief (WCDR) director Allan Joyner told West Carleton Online last night (April 19). \u201cOur next official forecast update won\u2019t come until the evening of April 21, and with levels trending upward, we want to make sure everyone is using that time wisely.\u201d<\/p>\n

WCDR is recommending anyone who was swamped by the river in 2023, start preparing now, if they haven\u2019t already.<\/p>\n

\u201cResidents who expect their property to flood if we approach the 2023 levels should consider beginning to build protective walls now if you haven\u2019t already,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to wait for the forecast; starting early gives you options. We are encouraging you to pull together a team of neighbours or friends you can call on quickly if wall building becomes urgent. Having that crew identified in advance makes a real difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

The WCDR is also recommending not touching your septic tanks in times of high water.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is important, with groundwater levels this high, an empty tank becomes buoyant,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cIn previous flood events, a number of tanks have actually lifted out of the ground. Leave them as they are until water levels recede.\u201d<\/p>\n

As all of West Carleton\u2019s riverside homes are on wells, make sure you have a reliable drinking supply.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have any concerns about your water supply, please pick up bottled water for drinking in the meantime,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cHold off on getting your water tested until levels have receded \u2014 that\u2019s when the results will be meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n

The WCDR is still recruiting volunteers to support the community in its time of need.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still need hands for sandbagging and wall building,\u201d Joyner said. \u201cIf you\u2019re able to help, please reach out \u2014 every set of hands counts right now. WCDR will continue posting daily updates. Stay connected, look out for your neighbours, and don\u2019t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB) is measuring water levels at Chats Lake Generation Station at 75.72 m and 60.1 m at Brittania.<\/p>\n

\u201cWater levels and flows continue to rise at all locations along the main stem of the Ottawa River as significant runoff from rainfall and snowmelt from the unregulated portion of the basin flow into the river,\u201d the ORRPB released in a statement yesterday (April 19). \u201cReservoirs are retaining spring runoff to reduce flooding in the dowstream river system. Minor flood levels have been exceeded in most flood prone areas along the Ottawa River from Pembroke down to Carillon. Major flood levels from Lake Coulonge to Carillon have been exceeded or are expected to be exceeded tomorrow (April 20) or Tuesday (April 21).\u201d<\/p>\n

Levels were expected to continue increasing over the weekend in all locations and start stabilizing today.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncertain weather factors play into estimating peak levels over the coming week,\u201d the ORRPB said.<\/p>\n

On April 19 peak level estimates are generally above 2025 peak levels but below 2023 peak levels, as follows: Pembroke (113.10 m), Lac Coulonge (108.60 m), Chats Lake (75.70 m), Lake Deschenes (60.25 m), Gatineau -Hull marina (44.50 m) and Thurso (43.00 m).<\/p>\n

\u201cThese exceed 2025 peak levels by 25 cm (Pembroke), 45 cm (Lake Coulonge), 45 cm (Chats Lake), 50 cm (Lake Deschenes\/Britannia), 95 cm (Gatineau -Hull marina) and 70 cm (Thurso),\u201d the ORRPB said. \u201cOver the next two weeks, levels are expected to plateau or slowly decline depending on weather. Risk of further increase in levels over coming weeks is higher from Mattawa to Lake Coulonge given the high snowpack remaining in the northern part of the basin.\u201d<\/p>\n

West Carleton-March Coun. Clarke Kelly was actively monitoring the situation in the community and helping where he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother very active day with more residents taking action as the water rose again over the last 24 hours,\u201d Kelly released in a statement yesterday (April 19). \u201cWater levels on the lower Ottawa have exceeded 2025 levels but do remain below the 2023 peak and are expected to continue to rise over the next few days but at a slower rate than we have seen in the past three days.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the ground saturated, and Constance Bay having a very sandy base, groundwater is also an issue during the freshet.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor anyone who is dealing with either overland flooding or excess groundwater your septic and well may soon become affected if (it is) not already,\u201d Kelly said.<\/p>\n

Please see this link from the City of Ottawa with more information<\/a> and steps you should take.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city is preparing should it need to deploy porta potties to certain locations, and the Constance Bay community centre will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily where a shower is available for those who need it,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cI will inquire with staff about opening up other locations for potable water and showers if there is a need.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was activity at all the strategically placed sandbag filling stations and pre-filled sandbags were dropped by the city beginning again early this morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cCity staff and volunteer partners were once again using the sandbag machine at the Kinburn Public Works Yard and Tomlinson sent someone over to help get the second machine up and running this afternoon (April 19),\u201d Kelly said. \u201cThanks again to Tomlinson for lending us their machine. Team Rubicon and our many community volunteers filled more than 5,000 sandbags today just at the Constance Bay Community Centre alone. There is lots of spring left and more water to come from the north but as I made my way around Ward 5 today there was no sense of panic. That is because we are prepared and we are out supporting each other. WCDR is active all day long coordinating supports, volunteers are coming out, our rural firefighters are checking in with people. Our community is strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some additional links with information that may be helpful:<\/p>\n

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