Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 8, 2026

Rideau Canal - Water Level Management Update – April 8, 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 10–15 mm of precipitation. Air temperatures will rise again and remain positive overnight. There is a potential for more rain early next week; however, forecast amounts remain uncertain at this time.

Outlook
In the short term, water levels and flows will increase as a result of the forecasted amounts of rain. Saturated soil conditions in the Upper Tay Watershed and the northern part of the Rideau River, as a result of the recent significant rain event, will continue to contribute to 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
Lake levels are above average and stable; however, they are expected to increase.

Tay River
Bobs Lake levels are above average, increasing, and will continue to do so due to recent significant rainfall, early melt, and forecasted rain. Christie Lake levels are rising. Levels on both lakes will continue to be monitored for flooding impacts. Operations are being conducted to increase outflows from Bobs Lake due to anticipated increases in inflows. Flows on the lower Tay River will remain elevated. Levels on both lakes will continue to be monitored, and balancing of the high water will continue.

Rideau River
Wolfe Lake, Upper Rideau Lake, and Big Rideau Lake levels are above average and are expected to increase. All river reaches from Smith Falls to Burritts Rapids are above seasonal levels due to the recent rain event and are expected to increase with forecasted precipitation. Levels on the Long Reach are expected to increase. Flows in the Rideau River are expected to increase.