Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 15, 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 five-day weather forecast is predicting 40-50 mm of precipitation.

Outlook

In the short term, water levels and flows will increase as a result of the forecasted rainfall. Saturated soil conditions in the Upper Tay Watershed and the northern part of the Rideau River, resulting from a recent significant rain event, will continue to contribute to increased runoff.

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

Cataraqui River

Lake levels are currently stable but are expected to increase with the forecasted rainfall.

Tay River

Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels are above average, are increasing, and are expected to continue rising due to recent and forecasted rainfall. Levels on both lakes will continue to be monitored, and balancing of the high water will continue. Flows on the lower Tay River are expected to increase.

Rideau River

Water levels on Wolfe Lake, Upper Rideau Lake, and Big Rideau Lake are expected to rise. All river reaches from Smiths Falls to Burritts Rapids are above seasonal levels due to the recent rain event and are expected to increase further with forecasted precipitation. Levels on the Long Reach remain near full and are also expected to increase. Flows in the Rideau River are expected to rise.