Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 4, 2025

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 4, 2025

Parks Canada's water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Rideau Canal National Historic Site.

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 provides background information on water management practices, updates on water management, 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

Rideau Canal has received a significant amount of precipitation over the last 48 hours, with varying amounts of 20-40 mm.  The five-day forecast suggests an additional 20-25 mm, with air temperatures remaining above zero during the day and will approach the freezing mark overnight. Flood Watches have been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources system-wide.

Outlook

In the short term, water levels and flows will continue to increase as a result of the forecasted rain. The remaining snowpack in the Upper Tay Watershed and the northern part of the Rideau River will contribute to the increased runoff amounts.

The Rideau Canal Water Management team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority. 

Cataraqui River

Lakes are increasing and are expected to increase with the forecasted amount of rain.

Tay River

Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels are above average and are increasing and will continue to do so due to the rain. The levels on both lakes will continue to be monitored, and the balancing of the high water will continue. Flows on the lower Tay River are increasing.

Rideau River

Wolfe Lake, Upper Rideau Lake and Big Rideau Lake levels are expected to increase. All the river reaches from Smith Falls to Burritts Rapids are near and above seasonal levels. Levels on the Long Reach are above full and are expected to increase. The flows in the Rideau River are expected to continue to experience significant fluctuations.