The Ottawa River Regulating Committee is warning residents along the river that there may be “minor flooding” in low-lying areas over the next few days.
In a statement Friday, the committee said levels and flows along the Ottawa River are expected to begin increasing as a result of the onset of the spring freshet period in the Ottawa River basin.
“There are currently no flooding indicators of concern,” the committee stated.
“There was a partial melt of the snow earlier in March… and the freshet is beginning at the normal time of year.
“However, it is too early to forecast peak river conditions.”
The committee said a large low-pressure system is expected to bring 15 to 30 mm of rain over much of the Ottawa River basin through late Friday, with precipitation amounts of up to 40 mm possible locally on the southeastern part of the basin.
“At the same time, warmer temperatures will melt a large portion of the remaining snowpack in the central and southwest areas of the basin.
“Combined rainfall and snowmelt is expected to produce high runoff, causing levels to rise on the Ottawa River between Mattawa and the Montreal region starting today.”
The committee said the rain and snowmelt over the next several days “could create possible flooding in low-lying areas, which are the areas that are flooded regularly during the spring freshet period.”
“It is important to note that the freshet period typically takes place over a period of six to eight weeks. Throughout the freshet period, the combination of heavy rainfall and snowmelt may result in rapid increases in water levels and flows on the main stem of the Ottawa River.
“Rising water levels may result in minor flooding in low-lying areas along the main stem of the river from Mattawa down to the Montreal region.”
Water levels at Des Joachims were 149.62 m above sea level Friday, slightly below the historic median of 149.82 m for April 8.
For Pembroke, water levels were reported at 111.87 m, slightly above the historic median of 111.65 m but still well below the historic high of 112.48 m set in 1938.
For more information on forecasts and current conditions, check the regulating board website at ottawariver.ca.
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