Ottawa River slowly recedes in Ottawa-Gatineau area, but officials warn second peak possible

Flooding along the Ottawa River at Britannia Beach in Ottawa's west end on Monday, April 20, 2026. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Water levels continue to slowly recede along the Ottawa River in the Ottawa and Gatineau area, but officials warn a second flood peak remains possible in the coming weeks.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board says water levels dropped 15 centimetres at Hull over the weekend, including four centimetres on Monday, while water levels have dropped two centimetres at Britannia since Saturday.

Heavy rain and snowmelt through April caused water levels to rise over the past two weeks in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, with dozens of properties threatened by flood waters along the Ottawa River.

The board said water levels and flows are “rising gradually” in the Pembroke and Mattawa area, and water levels could reach major flood levels over the next few days in the Mattawa area.

“With accelerated snowmelt expected in the northern part of the watershed, northern reservoirs are now passing increased flows downstream,” the board said on Sunday.

“Water levels and flows are expected to continue increasing gradually from Mattawa to Pembroke and to be fairly stable in downstream locations over the next few days.”

Water levels are forecast to rise 15 cm this week at Mattawa and five centimetres at Pembroke, while the Ottawa River is expected to remain stable this week at Britannia and Hull.

The board warns rapid snowmelt and rainfall could cause water levels to rise “higher than those observed” last week in all locations along the Ottawa River.

“The rate of snowmelt in the northern portion of the basin and the potential for rainfall over the coming weeks remain uncertain,” the board said.

“As a result, in the coming weeks, a second flood peak remains possible from Pembroke to the Montreal region, as well as the possibility of levels at Mattawa exceeding major flood levels for the first time.”

Gatineau

The City of Gatineau says 41 people have evacuated their homes due to flooding along the Ottawa River and Gatineau River.

Last week, the municipality said approximately 500 buildings were at risk due to rising water levels

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