Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – December 30, 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.

Outlook
The relatively dry fall conditions with total 3-month precipitation values varying 25 -70% below normal resulted in below-average flows and levels across most watersheds. The precipitation amounts received during the month of December were localized in nature, with total values close to seasonal averages. The snow on the ground is variable across the Rideau Canal. The recent warmer weather, in combination with the rainfall, increased flows and levels across Cataraqui Watershed due to the localized nature of the rainfall.

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

Cataraqui River

The Cataraqui River lake levels are above average for this time of year and are declining.

Tay River

Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels are below average for this time of year. Flows on the Tay are below average.

Rideau River

Wolfe Lake is above average, Upper Rideau is above average, and Big Rideau is below average and increasing. Flows on the Rideau River remain below average.