Water levels continue to drop along Ottawa River in Ottawa-Gatineau area

The Ottawa River at Petrie Island on Thursday, April 23. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Water levels continue to slowly decline along the Ottawa River through the national capital region, but officials warn a “second flood peak” remains possible this spring.

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board reported water levels dropped three centimetres at Britannia/Lac Deschenes on Friday to 60.15 metres, while levels at Hull declined five centimetres to 44.36.

The water levels at Hull have dropped 11 centimetres since peaking on Tuesday.

“Water levels and flows along the main stem of the Ottawa River are stable or slightly declining between Pembroke and Carillon, while continuing to rise gradually in Mattawa,” the planning board said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

“With accelerated snowmelt expected in the northern part of the watershed, northern reservoirs are now passing increased flows downstream. This may lead to increasing water levels in Pembroke and stable or slowly decreasing levels between Lake Coulonge and Carillon.”

The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board said the rate of snowmelt in the northern portion of the basin and the potential for rainfall over the coming weeks “remain uncertain,” and water levels could rise.

“A second flood peak remains possible in the coming weeks from Mattawa to the Montreal region,” police said.

“A rapid melt combined with rainfall could lead to water levels higher than those observed between April 19 and 22 in all locations.”

Water levels did increase two centimetres near Pembroke on Friday.

Flooding in Gatineau

Officials in Gatineau, Que. are urging people living along the Ottawa River and Gatineau River to “remain vigilant” as water levels begin to recede.

“Shoreline property owners may notice a temporary drop in levels in places,” the city said in a media release.

“However, the risk of another rise at the end of April or in early May remains high because of the significant snow cover in the northern part of the basin and because of imprecise longer term rain forecasts.”

On Wednesday, officials said 500 properties in Gatineau were at risk of flooding due to the high-water levels.

The city said municipal crews are planning on reopening some areas to local traffic only due to the drop in water levels.

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