Ottawa River could potentially reach major flood levels this weekend

Several areas in eastern Ontario are under flood watches or warnings, and this weekend’s rainfall could make matters worse. CTV’s Kimberley Fowler reports.

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) has issued a flood watch for the Lower Ottawa River, affecting areas from Arnprior to Hawkesbury, as it warns that floodwaters could reach major flooding levels into next week.

A flood warning was issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for areas between Pembroke and Arnprior on Tuesday. On Thursday the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority upgraded its flood outlook for the river from Arnprior to Hawkesbury to a flood watch.

“Water levels and flows have been gradually increasing along the main stem of the Ottawa River due to recent rainfall combined with snowmelt in the central portions of the Ottawa River Basin. Levels and flows are expected to continue to increase over the weekend,” the conservation authority said.

Ottawa has seen more than 75 millimetres of rain so far this month, with a special weather statement about rain still in effect as of Thursday morning.

The MVCA says minor flood levels are expected to be reached between Arnprior and Britannia on Thursday, with the potential to see major flood levels by the weekend. From Britannia to Hawkesbury, minor flood levels are expected this weekend, and major flooding could be seen by Monday.

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“The minor flood level is defined as the level at which parts of some streets, lawns and parks are beginning to flood, with no or few houses/buildings being affected,” the conservation authority said. “The major flood level is defined as the level at which one or several streets are beginning to flood, with several houses/buildings or neighbourhoods being affected.”

The City of Ottawa has set up 14 sandbag filling locations across the city for residents who require them:

• 1125 Tweddle Road
• Leo Lane at East Shore Road
• Armstrong Road between Boise Lane and Phillip Road
• 262 Len Purcell Drive (Constance Bay Community Centre)
• Greenland Road at Armitage Avenue
• 128 Moorhead Drive
• Lighthouse Lane at Loggers Way
• 2145 Roger Stevens Drive
• 4127 John Shaw Road
• Barry Mullen Park parking lot at Grandview Road
• End of Jamieson Street
• End of Rowatt Street
• 29 Hurdman Road
• 911 Industrial Avenue

As of Thursday morning, the following roads and pathways are closed:

• Ray Wilson Road between York’s Corners Road and Gregoire Road
• Tweddle Road at the marina
• Boisé Lane
• Blair Road boat launch
• Pathway from Linda Thom Park under Billings Bridge to Windsor Park
• Ottawa River Pathway between Bilberry Drive and Gadwell Court

According to the National Capital Commission, the following sections of its trail network in Ontario and Quebec are currently affected by high water levels.

• Voyageurs Pathway, under the Champlain Bridge
• Voyageurs Pathway, near the Leamy Lake Parkway
• Gatineau River Pathway, under the Lady Aberdeen Bridge
• Leamy Lake Pathway, near the picnic area in Leamy Lake Park
• Leamy Lake Pathway, under Fournier Boulevard
• Sir George-Étienne Cartier lower multi-use pathway, between the NCC River House and the Blair Road boat launch

Gatineau urging shoreline residents to prepare

The City of Gatineau is warning shoreline property owners to prepare for flooding as water levels rise on the Ottawa River.

The city says the latest projections from the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board indicate minor flooding levels will be exceeded in certain flood-prone areas. The city adds it cannot rule out the possibility of major flooding in some places.

“Based on this latest information, some roads along the Ottawa River may be flooded over the coming days,” the city said in a news release on Thursday. “Municipal crews are at the ready and monitoring the entire Gatineau territory to adapt interventions accordingly.”

The following roads are being closely monitored:

• In the Aylmer sector: chemin Fraser, rue Dorion and rue Lamoureux;
• In the Hull sector: promenade du Lac-Leamy;
• In the Gatineau sector: boulevard Hurtubise, rue Adélard, rue Blais, rue Corriveau, rue des Montgolfières, rue du Prince-Albert, rue Ernest-Charron, rue Jacques-Cartier, rue Oscar, rue René, rue Riviera, rue Saint-François-Xavier and rue Saint-Louis;
• In the Masson-Angers sector: chemin de la Rive, chemin du Fer-à-Cheval, rue Gabriel-Constantineau and rue Victor-Charlebois.

The city says it will control access to those roads or close them, depending on the situation.

Gatineau firefighters will be going door-to-door Thursday to touch base with residents in affected areas. Property owners along the river are encouraged to follow water level forecasts over the next several days.

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“The situation is changing quickly, but you can rest assured we are monitoring water levels carefully. Gatineau has all the necessary expertise to deal with this type of situation: our municipal crews are at the ready and hard at work throughout the territory,” said Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. “As a precaution, shoreline property owners are asked to prepare and stay tuned for communications from Gatineau to remain informed about developments.”

The city says more than 45,000 sandbags are ready and available for residents at Parc Louis-Roy at 5 rue Louis-Roy in Aylmer, starting at 11 a.m., at Parc du Lac-Beauchamp at 745 boul. Maloney-Est in Gatineau, starting at 4 p.m., and at Parc Jack-Eyamie at 40 rue du Bass in Masson-Angers, starting at 4 p.m.

“The public is asked to cooperate regarding the use of sandbags. They should collect them gradually to ensure that everyone gets some. That way, everyone can start building their dykes,” the city says.