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Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – July 11, 2024
Parks Canada's water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada.
Parks Canada maintains the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Rideau Canal website at https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet.
The InfoNet contains background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.
This information is intended as supplemental information only. Your respective Conservation Authority continues to serve as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to your area. These are the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Cataraqui Conservation Authority.
Outlook
During the last 3 weeks, the Rideau Canal watersheds have received 50-100% above the normal amount of rain. Water levels were generally higher than normal in advance of the forecasted system as not all watersheds have recovered completely from the last significant rain event. As a result of the widespread system named Tropical Depression Beryl, the watersheds received anywhere between 35-50 mm of rain. The impacts from the above-average amounts of precipitation received remain across the system. Flows and levels are above normal for this time of the year across all locations.
The Rideau Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your Conservation Authority.
Cataraqui River
All lakes are above the average for this time of the year and are expected to continue rising.
Tay River
Bobs Lake levels remain above average and are expected to increase. Flows on the lower Tay River are above average and expected to increase. The Rideau Water Management Team will be closely monitoring the changing conditions in this area.
Rideau River
Big Rideau Lake, Upper Rideau Lake and Wolfe Lake water levels are above average and currently increasing. Flows are above average for this time of the year and are expected to increase from Smiths Falls to Hogs Back.