Flood warning lifted for Ottawa River

The Ottawa River behind Parliament. May 2, 2025. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

A flood warning issued for the Lower Ottawa River between Arnprior and Hawkesbury has been lowered to a flood watch, as water levels begin to stabilize.

Conservation authorities issued a flood warning for the Ottawa River on May 1, as water levels continued to rise including in the Britannia, Gatineau and Cumberland areas. Minor flood levels have been exceeded along the Ottawa River from Pembroke to Hawkesbury, flooding roads and parks along the river.

The flood status was lowered to a flood watch on Friday.

“Water levels and flows along the Ottawa River have stabilized, with only small amounts of snow remaining in the northern part of the basin,” the conservation authorities said in a statement.

“Water levels are expected to remain elevated over the coming weeks, and the river will remain sensitive to widespread rainfall events.”

Officials say water levels are forecast to stay “well below 2023 peak levels.”

With sunshine and warm temperatures in the forecast starting this weekend are expected to help stabilize water levels on the Ottawa River.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board says water levels are “close to or exceeding” minor flood levels in all locations along the Ottawa River, including at Britannia and the Hull Marina.

“With the forecast of sunny weather and little precipitation over much of the basin over the next few days, water levels and flows are expected to remain stable or to slowly decrease over the coming week,” the planning board said in a statement on its website.

According to the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, water levels are expected to drop on Sunday at Pembroke, Britannia and the Hull Marina.

Ottawa pathways

The National Capital Commission says some sections of the Capital Pathway network may be closed due to high water levels on the Ottawa River.

Areas impacted by high-water levels in Ottawa include:

• Capital Pathway between P5 and the NCC River House
• Capital Pathway between the Blair Road Boat Launch and Airport-Marina Road
• Richmond Landing
• A section of the Ottawa River Pathway behind Parliament Hill
• A section of the Ottawa River Pathway intersecting with New Orchard Avenue
• A section of the Ottawa River Pathway west of Westboro Beach
• A section of the Ottawa River Pathway east of Champlain Bridge
• East side of Bate Island
• A section of Trail 10 at Shirleys Bay between Hastings Street and the Greenbelt Pathway

Here is a list of parks and pathways affected by high water levels in the Gatineau area:

• Leamy Lake Parkway (westbound)
• A section of the Leamy Lake Pathway, near the parking lot, of Highway 50 and Fournier Boulevard
• A section of the Voyageurs Pathway near Champlain Bridge
• A section of the Voyageurs Pathway near the Chaudières parking lot
• A section of the Voyageurs Pathway near the Deschenes Rapids parking lot
• A section of the Leamy Lake Pathway near the Saint-Éloi Café-Bistro
• The beach at Leamy Lake Park
• The lower part of Tesanini Park
• A section of the Philippe Lake Parkway

Gatineau Park

• Philippe Lake Parkway