Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 12, 2026

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – March 12, 2026

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
The total amounts of precipitation recorded across the watersheds over the past week, including the last 48 hours, ranged from 15 to 30 mm. The five-day forecast suggests an additional 30–40 mm of mixed precipitation due to a variable temperature trend.

Outlook
The watersheds recently experienced an onset of warm temperatures, resulting in active snowmelt. This weather resulted in moderate inflows, which have increased water levels on lakes and river reaches. The weather forecast suggests that elevated flows and levels should remain steady. Snow on the ground is variable across the Rideau Canal. In general, the amount of snow increases as you move north from Lake Ontario. Low amounts of snow remain in the Cataraqui Watershed, while snow amounts in the Rideau Watershed range from low to moderate. Flows in the Rideau Canal are anticipated to remain above average, and water levels are expected to increase in all lakes and river reaches. The Rideau Canal Water Management team will be actively monitoring the changing conditions. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority.

Ice on Shorelines
Temperature variations above the freezing mark make ice weak along the shoreline, which is then easily broken and moved by windy conditions. Areas subject to the greatest impact are those facing the primary wind direction. In the event of strong wind conditions, the public should be aware of possible onshore ice movement leading to shoreline damage. The current forecast winds are moderate but may reach gusts of up to 50 km/hr and higher.

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

Tay River
Bobs Lake is near average level and increasing. Christie Lake is below average. Flows on the Tay River are above average.

Rideau River
Wolfe Lake, Upper Rideau Lake, and Big Rideau Lake levels are above average and will continue increasing. Flows on the Rideau River are above average and cresting.