Water levels continue to stabilize around Ottawa and Gatineau

As water levels on the Ottawa River recede, officials say a second surge of flooding could come for residents in flood prone areas. Kimberley Johnson reports.

The water levels of the Ottawa River around the National Capital Region continue to stabilize, but a second peak could be on the horizon.

According to the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, water levels dropped 2 centimetres at Britannia/Lake Deschenes on Saturday and now sit at 60.11 metres. In Gatineau, the water levels at Hull have dropped another five centimetres to 44.24 metres.

Water levels peaked on Tuesday and have dropped 11 centimetres at Britannia/Lake Deschenes and 22 centimetres at Hull since then.

• Flood levels stabilize in Gatineau, but anxiety lingers for residents

“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 Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board said in a statement on Friday.

While water levels continue to stabilize, the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board warns of the possibility of a second peak due to potential rainfall and snowmelt in the northern portion of the basin.

“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,” the board wrote.

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

Near Pembroke, water levels increased by 1 centimetre.

In Cumberland, Kaili Plain says she still has some challenges since the floodwaters began rising in her area.

“I’m hoping in three to four days, maybe, we should be able to have that part of our driveway usable, which would be great.”

Her street still remains submerged in water and is still unable to park on her property. She says flooding in her basement has gone, and there’s been no damage to her home.

Despite being an area that’s seen flooding before, the rising water levels took her by surprise.

“Shocked, very shocked,” she said. “I didn’t understand how come there was so much water, because in the four years we’ve been here, it’s never been this bad.”

While water levels are now starting to go down outside of her home, residents are being warned further spring flooding could be on the way.

“I’m really hoping it won’t pass what we already had, because I really don’t want to sandbag the house,” says Plain.

“Residents need to remain vigilant,” said Orléans East-Cumberland Coun. Matthew Luloff. “Things are in flux”

Luloff says that while areas like Cumberland have seen a decrease in water levels, they remain holding in areas to the west.

He says officials will continue to offer sandbag stations, and residents should continue to use them as water levels could rise again.

“If they have sandbag walls up, they should leave them up,” he said of affected residents.

“Yes, waters are receding for now, but we want to maintain vigilance, and keep those up until we start to see a permanent recession in the water in the next couple of weeks.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Kimberley Johnson

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