Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 23, 2026

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 23, 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 predicts a relatively dry period with less than 5 mm of rain, with a risk of rain towards the beginning of next week.  

Outlook

In the short term, water levels and flows are now receding. The Rideau Canal Water Management team will be active, and the changing conditions will be closely monitored. Please check the website of your local conservation authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for the most up-to-date watershed conditions.

Cataraqui River

Lake levels have stabilized and are near the average for this time of the year.

Tay River

Bobs Lake and Christie Lake levels remain near full and above average, have stabilized and are declining. The levels on both lakes will continue to be monitored. The Tay River has peaked and is receding.

Rideau River

Wolfe Lake, Upper Rideau Lake and Big Rideau Lake levels are all near the average values for this time of the year. All the river reaches from Smith Falls to Burritts Rapids are at or near seasonal levels.  Levels on the Long Reach are now below full, and flows in the Rideau River have stabilized and are receding.