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Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 11, 2025
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.
Weather
The weather forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week suggests a precipitation event of 10 to 15 mm combined with plus temperatures approaching 15 degrees. The warm-up and cool-down period is estimated to be approximately 48 hours in length. The brief warm spell is followed by more seasonal temperatures.
Outlook
Precipitation and warm temperatures will result in snowmelt and runoff thus impacting the watershed response. The current forecast indicates that water levels and outflows will likely increase at all locations. The Rideau Canal Water Management team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed conditions updates will be released by your Conservation Authority.
Cataraqui River
Most lake levels are about average for this time of year and stabilizing after the recent weather. Water levels are anticipated to increase as a result of the rainfall and snow melt.
Tay River
Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels are below average for this time of year. Levels on Bobs Lake and Christie Lake are stable and should begin to increase in the next few days. Flows on the Lower Tay River near Perth are below average.
Rideau River
Upper Rideau and Big Rideau Lake levels are near and below average for this time of the year. Wolfe Lake levels are below seasonal average. The river reaches between Smiths Falls and Hogs Back are currently at seasonal levels.