Water Safety Statement Extended

Cataraqui Conservation has extended its Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety today to advise residents and visitors about high flows on some watercourses.

Weather Situation:
Approximately 15 to 40mm of rainfall was recorded over the Easter weekend, mostly falling late April 4 and overnight into the morning of April 5. This was followed by snowfall on April 7 contributing additional moisture to the system.

There is significant rain in the forecast for the period of April 9 through April 16.

Conditions:
Runoff from recent precipitation events has caused some streamflows to rise above normal.
The ground has limited ability to infiltrate which will continue to enhance runoff from additional rainfall.
Water Managers continue to monitor water levels closely and make discharge adjustments to maintain target water levels which trend upward to prepare for the summer recreation season.
Water management cannot prevent flooding. It seeks to balance negative impacts, as much as possible, as excess water moves through the system. Discharge is already high through some dams to manage excess inflows.

Risks:
The main consideration continues to be water safety. Water levels and flows are expected to increase from the forecasted rain. High flows are already occurring in some areas, such as on the Gananoque River system.

Cataraqui Conservation is urging caution around all dams (inflow and outflow channels) and fast-flowing watercourses. Respect the hazards in these areas by obeying all warning signs, and keep away from booms, buoys and barriers. Stay well back from the water’s edge above and below dams and hydroelectric stations. Creek banks and lake shorelines may be slippery, increasing the chance of falling in.

Flooding is NOT expected. However, localized inundation of some low-lying areas is possible.

If you witness flooding and/or require assistance, your first point of contact is the local municipality. Sand and sandbag availability and location information is provided at the bottom of this statement.

Requests for additional information associated with managed lakes can be sent to the following water management groups:
1. Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) E-mail: kemptville-kingston.mnrf@ontario.ca

2.Portage Power (PP) E-mail: info@portagepower.com

3. Parks Canada E-mail: rideau@pc.gc.ca More information is available here: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/info/infonet
4. Cataraqui Conservation E-mail: info@crca.ca

Staff will continue to monitor conditions and forecasts and will update statements as needed. This Watershed Conditions Statement will remain in effect until (or updated before) Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

For up-to-date flooding information, please visit the flood forecasting and information page.